What’s your theory of change for this protest? For example, do we know for a fact that there are AI researchers working out of that office?
It seems to me like your theory of change should inform your actions a fair amount. For example, if your goal is to change the thinking of Meta employees, actions like the following could make sense:
During the sign-making party, do some roleplays where someone pretends to be a Meta employee and asks the sort of questions a Meta employee might ask.
People who seem good at answering Meta employee questions could write something like “Ask me questions!” on their sign. (Also, people with relevant credentials could write that on their sign, e.g. “I have an AI PhD”.)
Try to look friendly and inviting during the protest. Since the protest is happening around the time employees get off work anyways, have a goal of getting at least one Meta employee embroiled in conversation to join you for drinks after the protest. Maybe by spacing protestors out a little—you could make it so even if they don’t talk to the first protestor they see, they think for a bit and then talk to the 2nd or 3rd.
It seems like most protests are fairly confrontational. I’m not sure if that’s just the nature of politics, or because confrontational protests work well according to some particular theory of change. I think I would favor a less-confrontational strategy just because you can always switch to being confrontational later. (Also: “In the qualitative responses about the readings, there were some recurring criticisms, including: a desire to hear from AI researchers, a dislike of philosophical approaches, a dislike of a focus on existential risks or an emphasis on fears, a desire to be “realistic” and not “speculative”, and a desire for empirical evidence.” Source. I wonder if Bing Chat would be a good case study to highlight?)
It seems like the sign-making strategy is fairly different if you want to do a confrontational protest. E.g. for a non-confrontational protest, I imagine that funny or inviting signs could be good (perhaps something like: “Only you can save us from irreversible AI proliferation!”) For a confrontational protest, I imagine it’s better to have accusatory signs, plus bring a bunch of extra signs and try to get passerby to join you.
BTW, a mental model that might describe what’s going on at Meta: It’s like an online echo chamber. Researchers at Meta self-select for being unconcerned about safety. Once they’re hired, they participate in internal discussions (probably in private Facebook groups) where the consensus is that AI risk fears are alarmist. Best-case outcome for a protest is inspiring a few people to speak up in favor of safety during internal discussions. (If you do manage to have a conversation with a Meta person, you could ask them if this mental model is accurate!)
PS—Another possible theory of change for protests is: use conversations to refine messaging that actually persuades AI risk skeptics, then broadcast that messaging later. Relevant post
This is a peaceful and conversational protest, and we timed it to be able to speak with employees as they leave work. Matter of opinion and the person whether it’s confrontational. It’s a criticism so it might be perceived as confrontational no matter what. We’ll just be there on a public sidewalk sharing our views.
I suggest to spend a few minutes pondering what to do if crazy people (perhaps just walking by) decide to “join” the protest. Y’know, SF gonna SF.
FYI at a firm I used to work at, once there was a group protesting us out front. Management sent an email that day suggesting that people leave out a side door. So I did. I wasn’t thinking too hard about it, and I don’t know how many people at the firm overall did the same.
(I have no personal experience with protests, feel free to ignore.)
Cool idea!
What’s your theory of change for this protest? For example, do we know for a fact that there are AI researchers working out of that office?
It seems to me like your theory of change should inform your actions a fair amount. For example, if your goal is to change the thinking of Meta employees, actions like the following could make sense:
During the sign-making party, do some roleplays where someone pretends to be a Meta employee and asks the sort of questions a Meta employee might ask.
People who seem good at answering Meta employee questions could write something like “Ask me questions!” on their sign. (Also, people with relevant credentials could write that on their sign, e.g. “I have an AI PhD”.)
Try to look friendly and inviting during the protest. Since the protest is happening around the time employees get off work anyways, have a goal of getting at least one Meta employee embroiled in conversation to join you for drinks after the protest. Maybe by spacing protestors out a little—you could make it so even if they don’t talk to the first protestor they see, they think for a bit and then talk to the 2nd or 3rd.
It seems like most protests are fairly confrontational. I’m not sure if that’s just the nature of politics, or because confrontational protests work well according to some particular theory of change. I think I would favor a less-confrontational strategy just because you can always switch to being confrontational later. (Also: “In the qualitative responses about the readings, there were some recurring criticisms, including: a desire to hear from AI researchers, a dislike of philosophical approaches, a dislike of a focus on existential risks or an emphasis on fears, a desire to be “realistic” and not “speculative”, and a desire for empirical evidence.” Source. I wonder if Bing Chat would be a good case study to highlight?)
It seems like the sign-making strategy is fairly different if you want to do a confrontational protest. E.g. for a non-confrontational protest, I imagine that funny or inviting signs could be good (perhaps something like: “Only you can save us from irreversible AI proliferation!”) For a confrontational protest, I imagine it’s better to have accusatory signs, plus bring a bunch of extra signs and try to get passerby to join you.
BTW, a mental model that might describe what’s going on at Meta: It’s like an online echo chamber. Researchers at Meta self-select for being unconcerned about safety. Once they’re hired, they participate in internal discussions (probably in private Facebook groups) where the consensus is that AI risk fears are alarmist. Best-case outcome for a protest is inspiring a few people to speak up in favor of safety during internal discussions. (If you do manage to have a conversation with a Meta person, you could ask them if this mental model is accurate!)
PS—Another possible theory of change for protests is: use conversations to refine messaging that actually persuades AI risk skeptics, then broadcast that messaging later. Relevant post
This is a peaceful and conversational protest, and we timed it to be able to speak with employees as they leave work. Matter of opinion and the person whether it’s confrontational. It’s a criticism so it might be perceived as confrontational no matter what. We’ll just be there on a public sidewalk sharing our views.
I suggest to spend a few minutes pondering what to do if crazy people (perhaps just walking by) decide to “join” the protest. Y’know, SF gonna SF.
FYI at a firm I used to work at, once there was a group protesting us out front. Management sent an email that day suggesting that people leave out a side door. So I did. I wasn’t thinking too hard about it, and I don’t know how many people at the firm overall did the same.
(I have no personal experience with protests, feel free to ignore.)