Independent · Not for profit · Since 1984
The future is already here. We work to distribute it evenly.
Frothly is a not-for-profit institute studying the systems that increasingly think, remember and decide on our behalf — and building the public infrastructure that keeps them answerable to the people they serve.
Supported by institutions worldwide
What’s happening:
Live on the Turing Registry
- DELAMAIN was licensed
- EDI renewed its license
- SPEEDY entered review
- MULTIVAC was licensed
- SHODAN’s license was revoked
- AVINA renewed its license
- LEGION entered review
Research that leaves the lab
Six long-running programs, each pairing original research with open tools and standards that anyone can use — and anyone can audit.
AI evaluation & containment
Blackwall
Independent capability evaluations and red-teaming for frontier AI systems — conducted before deployment, not after the breach. Labs submit models voluntarily; we publish what we find, including what they would rather we did not.
148
Pre-deployment evaluations
31
Participating labs
100%
Findings published
Program lead: Dr. Janice Polito
San Francisco · Est. 2019
Public accountability
Turing Registry
A public, auditable registry of autonomous systems operating in the world: who built them, what they are licensed to do, and who answers when something goes wrong. Registration is free. Revocation is public.
11,402
Licensed systems
12
Revocations in 2026
41
Recognizing jurisdictions
Program lead: Elijah Baley
Zürich · Est. 2003
Secure communication
Glossia
An open, end-to-end encrypted messaging protocol for people who cannot afford to be overheard. Designed for low bandwidth, hostile networks and devices that may be seized.
2.3M
Monthly users
4
Independent audits
v4.0
Current protocol
Program lead: Gideon Ravenor
Chiba · Est. 2011
Digital preservation
Lazarus
Recovering the software, archives and digital lives otherwise lost to bit rot, dead formats and shuttered services — so that nothing important has to fade away.
3.1 PB
Preserved and verified
41,000
Titles restored
212
Partner archives
Program lead: Miranda Lawson
Vancouver · Est. 1994
Privacy for the at-risk
Scramble
Identity-shielding tools that render journalists and organizers a blur to facial recognition, gait analysis and behavioral tracking. Built with the people who use them, and free to anyone at risk.
190K
People protected
38
Countries
7
Open-source tools
Program lead: Alizebeth Bequin
San Francisco · Est. 2017
Community connectivity
LoTek
Low-cost, community-owned mesh networks for the neighborhoods the market decided were not worth wiring. We provide hardware, training and legal support; residents own the network.
64
Community networks
210K
Residents connected
$0
Subscription fees
Program lead: J. Bone
Newark · Est. 2008
Three principles, in order of precedence
Adopted at our founding and binding on every program, grant and partnership we enter into.
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First principle
Frothly will not build, fund or endorse technology that injures people — nor, through inaction, allow harm we are positioned to prevent.
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Second principle
We serve the communities we work with, except where that service would conflict with the First Principle.
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Third principle
We protect our own independence and continuity, as long as doing so does not conflict with the First or Second Principle.
Added by the board in 2009 and placed before the others: Frothly acts on behalf of humanity as a whole.
Our progress
11,402
Systems licensed
2.3M
Monthly Glossia users
210K
Residents connected
3.1 PB
Digital history preserved
0
Shareholders
“Every system we build encodes a choice. Our work is making sure people are the ones choosing — not merely obeying.”
Recent research from the institute
All publications ›Tune in:Audio Logs
With Dr. M. Solus, Senior Fellow. On irreversible research, and who should be trusted to do it.