Manuela Veloso and Andre Platzer are among the initial researchers funded by the Elon Musk-backed Future of Life Institute to explore ways to keep artificial intelligence beneficial to mankind.

Musk, the entrepreneur behind both Tesla Motors and SpaceX, has expressed his concerns that people might lose control of AI. He donated $10 million to the Boston-based institute, which has now awarded $7 million to 37 researchers to explore the risks and opportunities surrounding AI.

Veloso, professor of computer science, received $200,000 to develop methods for AI programs to explain their actions, decisions and recommendations to people. This transparency, she said, is necessary to build systems that are safe and acceptable to people.

Platzer, associate professor of computer science, received $200,000 to adapt his KeYmaera tool, originally developed for verifying the design of cyber-physical systems such as aircraft-collision avoidance systems and robotic surgery devices, for use in AI-based cyber-physical systems such as those that might drive cars or fly aircraft.