I understand it may look quite similar to different initiatives because I am only giving a very broad description in this post. Let me clarify a few things which will highlight differences with the other orgs/projects you mention:
-Catalyze’s focus is on the post-SERI MATS part of the pipeline (so targeting people who have already done a lot of upskilling—e.g. already done AI Safety Camp/SERI MATS)
-The current plan is not to fund the researchers but to support already funded researchers (the ‘hiring’ them is just another way of saying their funding would not be paid out directly to them but first go through an org with tax-deductibility benefits e.g. 501(c)3 and then go to them). - so no overlap with LTFF there. One exception to the supporting already funded researchers is helping not-yet funded researchers in the fundraising process.
I don’t really see similarities with Nonlinear apart from both naming ourselves ‘incubators’. Same for with ENAIS apart from them also connecting people together.
In short, I agree these interventions are not new. I think the packaging them up together and making a few additions & thereby making them easily accessible to this specific target group is most of the added value here.
Re: Nonlinear, they directly do services that you plan to do as well:
The Nonlinear Network: Funders get access to AI safety deal flow similar to large EA funders. People working in AI safety can apply to >45 AI safety funders in one application.
The Nonlinear Support Fund: Automatically qualify for mental health or productivity grants if you work full-time in AI safety.
(Note that both are targeted not only at AI safety founders as may seem from the website, but independent researchers as well.)
Fair point, I see understand what you meant now. I think these would be great resources for us to potentially connect the independent researchers we would incubate with as well
I understand it may look quite similar to different initiatives because I am only giving a very broad description in this post. Let me clarify a few things which will highlight differences with the other orgs/projects you mention:
-Catalyze’s focus is on the post-SERI MATS part of the pipeline (so targeting people who have already done a lot of upskilling—e.g. already done AI Safety Camp/SERI MATS)
-The current plan is not to fund the researchers but to support already funded researchers (the ‘hiring’ them is just another way of saying their funding would not be paid out directly to them but first go through an org with tax-deductibility benefits e.g. 501(c)3 and then go to them). - so no overlap with LTFF there. One exception to the supporting already funded researchers is helping not-yet funded researchers in the fundraising process.
I don’t really see similarities with Nonlinear apart from both naming ourselves ‘incubators’. Same for with ENAIS apart from them also connecting people together.
In short, I agree these interventions are not new. I think the packaging them up together and making a few additions & thereby making them easily accessible to this specific target group is most of the added value here.
Re: Nonlinear, they directly do services that you plan to do as well:
(Note that both are targeted not only at AI safety founders as may seem from the website, but independent researchers as well.)
Fair point, I see understand what you meant now. I think these would be great resources for us to potentially connect the independent researchers we would incubate with as well