So, I used to be a research scientist in AI/ML at Huawei Canada (circa 2017-2019), which on paper should make me a good candidate for AI technical safety work. However, in recent years I pivoted into game development, mostly because an EA friend and former moral philosophy lecturer pitched the idea of a Trolley Problem game to me and my interviews with big tech had gone nowhere (I now have a visceral disdain for Leetcode). Unfortunately, the burn rate of the company now means I can’t be paid anymore, so I’m looking around at other things again.
Back in 2022, I went to EA Global Washington DC and got some interviews with AI safety startups like FAR and Generally Intelligent, but couldn’t get past the technical interviews. As such, I’m not sure I’m actually qualified to be an AI safety technical researcher. I also left Huawei in part due to mental health issues making it difficult to work in such a high stress environment.
I’ve also considered doing independent AI safety research, and applied to the LTFF before and been rejected without feedback. I also applied to 80,000 Hours a while back and was also rejected.
Regularly reading the EA Forums and Less Wrong makes me continue to think AI safety work is the most important thing I could do, but at the same time, I have doubts I won’t mess up and waste people’s time and money that could go to more capable people and projects. I also have a family now, so I can’t just move to the Bay Area/London and burn my life for the cause either.
Thank you for explaining your situation. It sounds you could have an impact on the AI Safety space given your background and motivation. At Successif we support mid- and senior-career professionals to navigate such transitions. I encourage you to have a look at our website and see if this could be interesting for you. You can directly apply through the website.
Also we just released forum post, which gives more insights into common challenges faced by our advisees. Maybe you find some of your challenges reflected in there.
So, I used to be a research scientist in AI/ML at Huawei Canada (circa 2017-2019), which on paper should make me a good candidate for AI technical safety work. However, in recent years I pivoted into game development, mostly because an EA friend and former moral philosophy lecturer pitched the idea of a Trolley Problem game to me and my interviews with big tech had gone nowhere (I now have a visceral disdain for Leetcode). Unfortunately, the burn rate of the company now means I can’t be paid anymore, so I’m looking around at other things again.
Back in 2022, I went to EA Global Washington DC and got some interviews with AI safety startups like FAR and Generally Intelligent, but couldn’t get past the technical interviews. As such, I’m not sure I’m actually qualified to be an AI safety technical researcher. I also left Huawei in part due to mental health issues making it difficult to work in such a high stress environment.
I’ve also considered doing independent AI safety research, and applied to the LTFF before and been rejected without feedback. I also applied to 80,000 Hours a while back and was also rejected.
Regularly reading the EA Forums and Less Wrong makes me continue to think AI safety work is the most important thing I could do, but at the same time, I have doubts I won’t mess up and waste people’s time and money that could go to more capable people and projects. I also have a family now, so I can’t just move to the Bay Area/London and burn my life for the cause either.
What should I do?
Hi Joseph,
Thank you for explaining your situation. It sounds you could have an impact on the AI Safety space given your background and motivation. At Successif we support mid- and senior-career professionals to navigate such transitions. I encourage you to have a look at our website and see if this could be interesting for you. You can directly apply through the website.
Also we just released forum post, which gives more insights into common challenges faced by our advisees. Maybe you find some of your challenges reflected in there.
All the best,
Simon (Career Advisor @ Successif)