Based on the readings in previous sessions, which global problems do you think are most pressing and why? (Remember, experts are quite uncertain about this question!)
Artificial Intelligence: A High-Stakes Global Challenge
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving, with advancements being made at an unprecedented pace. Despite its potential to revolutionize industries, improve efficiency, and solve complex problems, AI remains largely unregulated, raising ethical and safety concerns. AI’s scalability allows it to influence nearly every aspect of human life, from healthcare and finance to warfare and governance. However, this immense power also comes with risks. The lack of oversight increases the chances of AI being misused, reinforcing biases, exacerbating inequality, and even posing security threats. Moreover, AI safety is a neglected area of research, with far less investment in risk mitigation compared to AI development. If left unchecked, the rapid deployment of advanced AI systems could lead to unintended consequences, including job displacement, loss of human autonomy, and in extreme scenarios, existential risks where AI systems surpass human control
Factory Farming: A Growing Ethical and Environmental Crisis
As the global human population continues to rise, so does the demand for food, particularly protein sources such as meat, eggs, and dairy. With limited land available for traditional farming, industrialized factory farming has become the dominant method of production. However, this shift comes at a significant cost to animal welfare, public health, and the environment.
Factory farming prioritizes efficiency and profit, often at the expense of the animals it exploits. Millions of animals are confined in overcrowded, stressful, and unsanitary conditions, deprived of natural behaviors, and subjected to inhumane treatment. Beyond ethical concerns, intensive animal agriculture contributes to environmental degradation, including deforestation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, it increases the risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks and antibiotic resistance, posing threats to both human and animal populations.
Yet, all lives human and non-human are intrinsically valuable. As we strive to meet global food demands, we must prioritize ethical, sustainable, and humane solutions, such as improving welfare standards, investing in plant-based and alternative proteins, and promoting responsible consumption. The future of food production must balance human needs with compassion and respect for all living beings.
Existential Risks: Humanity’s Greatest but Most Neglected Threats
The world faces numerous existential risks and catastrophic events that could wipe out humanity or permanently derail civilization. These risks range from nuclear war, engineered pandemics, and runaway artificial intelligence to climate collapse and asteroid impacts. Despite their potentially devastating consequences, they remain critically underfunded and understudied, with only a handful of experts and organizations dedicated to mitigating them.
Many of these risks are not just theoretical but have a significant probability of occurring within this century. Advancements in technology, geopolitical tensions, and environmental degradation are accelerating some of these threats, making proactive prevention more urgent than ever. Yet, governments, institutions, and society at large often prioritize short-term concerns over long-term survival. If we fail to take these threats seriously, we risk losing everything, not just human civilization, but the potential future of life on Earth.
2. What are your 3-5 biggest uncertainties about the above?
Artificial intelligence
How soon will AI reach a point where it poses a serious existential risk?
Will AI safety research advance quickly enough to keep up with AI development?
Can governments and institutions create effective regulations without stifling innovation
How will societies adapt to mass automation, and will economic inequality worsen?
Will AI lead to an arms race between nations, and can international agreements prevent misuse?
If AI surpasses human intelligence, will we be able to maintain control over it, or will it act unpredictably?
Factory farming
How feasible is a large-scale transition to plant-based and alternative proteins, especially in low- and middle-income countries where animal products are a key part of diets and livelihoods?
Will innovations like lab-grown meat and plant-based proteins become affordable and widely accepted by consumers in time to significantly reduce factory farming?
How can global cooperation be achieved to standardize animal welfare laws across different countries?
What support systems will be necessary to help farmers transition to more sustainable practices without losing their income?
Will public perception of animal welfare and sustainability issues shift significantly enough to drive changes in consumer behavior?
Will technological solutions like precision fermentation, cultured meat, or genetically modified animals improve sustainability without introducing new ethical or environmental risks?
Existential risks
Some existential risks are hard to quantify, how likely are these risks to occur within this century, and which are most urgent?
Are we capable of designing robust safeguards against AI, pandemics, and geopolitical conflicts, or are some risks inherently uncontrollable
Can countries and institutions put aside differences to work on long-term survival, or will bureaucracy and self-interest hinder progress?
Will public opinion shift in time to demand serious action, or will these issues remain ignored until it’s too late?
What are the existential threats we haven’t even considered yet, and how do we prepare for the unknown?
3. What could you do over the next few weeks to explore those uncertainties? (For example, do more reading, talk things through with a friend, or write an EA Forum post on your key uncertainties to get feedback.)
Over the next few weeks, I plan to explore my key uncertainties through a combination of reading, writing, and discussions:
Deepening My Knowledge: I will read more on effective altruism, existential risks, AI safety, and factory farming to better understand the complexities of these issues.
Engaging with the EA Community: I will write posts on the EA Forum to articulate my uncertainties and seek feedback from experienced members.
Discussing with Peers: I will have conversations with knowledgeable friends, mentors, or EA community members to challenge my assumptions and gain new perspectives.
Tracking My Thoughts: I will take structured notes on key insights, open questions, and areas where my views evolve, helping me refine my thinking over time.
4. What aptitudes are you most interested in exploring or using next? You might want to think about what you’re unusually good at, what activities make you feel energized, and what skills seem especially useful for addressing the problems you listed above.
Conceptual and empirical research on core longtermist topics aptitudes
Entrepreneur aptitude
Community building aptitudes
Academia
5. How could you begin to test out those aptitudes over the next few weeks?
Over the next few weeks, I plan to start writing and sharing posts on Effective Altruism (EA), exploring various topics that interest me. This will help me develop my writing and critical thinking skills while also refining my niche. Additionally, I am actively building a career in high-impact research, leveraging my skills and background to contribute meaningfully to this field. Unless otherwise as a veterinarian, I intend to focus on addressing factory farming, examining its ethical, environmental, and public health implications. Through writing, research, and engagement with relevant communities, I hope to deepen my expertise, connect with like-minded individuals, and identify actionable solutions to improve animal welfare in industrial agriculture.
6. While you’re figuring out your uncertainties, are there any actions to improve the world that you want to do now? (E.g. make a donation, or do things that make it more likely that you remember to apply these ideas in your life (like signing up for newsletters, committing to discuss your career with a friend, or making a task to apply for high-impact jobs/internships).
I plan to take several concrete steps to improve the world while refining my understanding of high-impact work:
Applying for High-Impact Jobs : I will actively seek job opportunities that align with effective altruism principles, allowing me to contribute meaningfully to global challenges.
Attending EA Conferences: Engaging with the Effective Altruism community through general conferences will help me learn from experts, expand my network, and refine my approach to making a difference.
Pursuing High-Impact Research: Since research is one of my strengths, I am exploring ways to initiate or contribute to research projects that address pressing global issues.
Reading The Precipice: This book will deepen my understanding of existential risks and long-termist thinking, providing valuable insights into how I can contribute effectively.
Taking the In-Depth EA Course: Enrolling in this course will help me systematically explore EA principles, sharpen my decision-making skills, and develop a more structured approach to doing good.
Based on the readings in previous sessions, which global problems do you think are most pressing and why? (Remember, experts are quite uncertain about this question!)
Artificial Intelligence: A High-Stakes Global Challenge
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving, with advancements being made at an unprecedented pace. Despite its potential to revolutionize industries, improve efficiency, and solve complex problems, AI remains largely unregulated, raising ethical and safety concerns. AI’s scalability allows it to influence nearly every aspect of human life, from healthcare and finance to warfare and governance. However, this immense power also comes with risks. The lack of oversight increases the chances of AI being misused, reinforcing biases, exacerbating inequality, and even posing security threats. Moreover, AI safety is a neglected area of research, with far less investment in risk mitigation compared to AI development. If left unchecked, the rapid deployment of advanced AI systems could lead to unintended consequences, including job displacement, loss of human autonomy, and in extreme scenarios, existential risks where AI systems surpass human control
Factory Farming: A Growing Ethical and Environmental Crisis
As the global human population continues to rise, so does the demand for food, particularly protein sources such as meat, eggs, and dairy. With limited land available for traditional farming, industrialized factory farming has become the dominant method of production. However, this shift comes at a significant cost to animal welfare, public health, and the environment.
Factory farming prioritizes efficiency and profit, often at the expense of the animals it exploits. Millions of animals are confined in overcrowded, stressful, and unsanitary conditions, deprived of natural behaviors, and subjected to inhumane treatment. Beyond ethical concerns, intensive animal agriculture contributes to environmental degradation, including deforestation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, it increases the risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks and antibiotic resistance, posing threats to both human and animal populations.
Yet, all lives human and non-human are intrinsically valuable. As we strive to meet global food demands, we must prioritize ethical, sustainable, and humane solutions, such as improving welfare standards, investing in plant-based and alternative proteins, and promoting responsible consumption. The future of food production must balance human needs with compassion and respect for all living beings.
Existential Risks: Humanity’s Greatest but Most Neglected Threats
The world faces numerous existential risks and catastrophic events that could wipe out humanity or permanently derail civilization. These risks range from nuclear war, engineered pandemics, and runaway artificial intelligence to climate collapse and asteroid impacts. Despite their potentially devastating consequences, they remain critically underfunded and understudied, with only a handful of experts and organizations dedicated to mitigating them.
Many of these risks are not just theoretical but have a significant probability of occurring within this century. Advancements in technology, geopolitical tensions, and environmental degradation are accelerating some of these threats, making proactive prevention more urgent than ever. Yet, governments, institutions, and society at large often prioritize short-term concerns over long-term survival. If we fail to take these threats seriously, we risk losing everything, not just human civilization, but the potential future of life on Earth.
2. What are your 3-5 biggest uncertainties about the above?
Artificial intelligence
How soon will AI reach a point where it poses a serious existential risk?
Will AI safety research advance quickly enough to keep up with AI development?
Can governments and institutions create effective regulations without stifling innovation
How will societies adapt to mass automation, and will economic inequality worsen?
Will AI lead to an arms race between nations, and can international agreements prevent misuse?
If AI surpasses human intelligence, will we be able to maintain control over it, or will it act unpredictably?
Factory farming
How feasible is a large-scale transition to plant-based and alternative proteins, especially in low- and middle-income countries where animal products are a key part of diets and livelihoods?
Will innovations like lab-grown meat and plant-based proteins become affordable and widely accepted by consumers in time to significantly reduce factory farming?
How can global cooperation be achieved to standardize animal welfare laws across different countries?
What support systems will be necessary to help farmers transition to more sustainable practices without losing their income?
Will public perception of animal welfare and sustainability issues shift significantly enough to drive changes in consumer behavior?
Will technological solutions like precision fermentation, cultured meat, or genetically modified animals improve sustainability without introducing new ethical or environmental risks?
Existential risks
Some existential risks are hard to quantify, how likely are these risks to occur within this century, and which are most urgent?
Are we capable of designing robust safeguards against AI, pandemics, and geopolitical conflicts, or are some risks inherently uncontrollable
Can countries and institutions put aside differences to work on long-term survival, or will bureaucracy and self-interest hinder progress?
Will public opinion shift in time to demand serious action, or will these issues remain ignored until it’s too late?
What are the existential threats we haven’t even considered yet, and how do we prepare for the unknown?
3. What could you do over the next few weeks to explore those uncertainties? (For example, do more reading, talk things through with a friend, or write an EA Forum post on your key uncertainties to get feedback.)
Over the next few weeks, I plan to explore my key uncertainties through a combination of reading, writing, and discussions:
Deepening My Knowledge: I will read more on effective altruism, existential risks, AI safety, and factory farming to better understand the complexities of these issues.
Engaging with the EA Community: I will write posts on the EA Forum to articulate my uncertainties and seek feedback from experienced members.
Discussing with Peers: I will have conversations with knowledgeable friends, mentors, or EA community members to challenge my assumptions and gain new perspectives.
Tracking My Thoughts: I will take structured notes on key insights, open questions, and areas where my views evolve, helping me refine my thinking over time.
4. What aptitudes are you most interested in exploring or using next? You might want to think about what you’re unusually good at, what activities make you feel energized, and what skills seem especially useful for addressing the problems you listed above.
Conceptual and empirical research on core longtermist topics aptitudes
Entrepreneur aptitude
Community building aptitudes
Academia
5. How could you begin to test out those aptitudes over the next few weeks?
Over the next few weeks, I plan to start writing and sharing posts on Effective Altruism (EA), exploring various topics that interest me. This will help me develop my writing and critical thinking skills while also refining my niche. Additionally, I am actively building a career in high-impact research, leveraging my skills and background to contribute meaningfully to this field. Unless otherwise as a veterinarian, I intend to focus on addressing factory farming, examining its ethical, environmental, and public health implications. Through writing, research, and engagement with relevant communities, I hope to deepen my expertise, connect with like-minded individuals, and identify actionable solutions to improve animal welfare in industrial agriculture.
6. While you’re figuring out your uncertainties, are there any actions to improve the world that you want to do now? (E.g. make a donation, or do things that make it more likely that you remember to apply these ideas in your life (like signing up for newsletters, committing to discuss your career with a friend, or making a task to apply for high-impact jobs/internships).
I plan to take several concrete steps to improve the world while refining my understanding of high-impact work:
Applying for High-Impact Jobs : I will actively seek job opportunities that align with effective altruism principles, allowing me to contribute meaningfully to global challenges.
Attending EA Conferences: Engaging with the Effective Altruism community through general conferences will help me learn from experts, expand my network, and refine my approach to making a difference.
Pursuing High-Impact Research: Since research is one of my strengths, I am exploring ways to initiate or contribute to research projects that address pressing global issues.
Reading The Precipice: This book will deepen my understanding of existential risks and long-termist thinking, providing valuable insights into how I can contribute effectively.
Taking the In-Depth EA Course: Enrolling in this course will help me systematically explore EA principles, sharpen my decision-making skills, and develop a more structured approach to doing good.