Questions for the 5.3 Executive Assistant, Technical AI Safety role
Hi :) I’d (also also) love to think about this role more proactively—here are some questions I had in mind that would really provide helpful context!
Bolded are the 2 most pressing questions I have:
What ways are you looking for candidates to showcase their ability as a generalist, demonstrating a capacity to excel in a variety of tasks and roles (apart from showing previous experiences)?
What are the intangible qualities in a team member that, while not easily quantified, significantly contribute to their effectiveness?
What systems does Ajeya currently utilize to manage time, tasks, and energy? What are the primary challenges or roadblocks she’s encountering, and where are the major inefficiencies?
Could you identify a specific issue Ajeya is facing with her organizational systems, particularly any low-hanging fruit that could be addressed for quick improvements?
What level of knowledge in AI safety is preferred? Would a candidate with a foundational understanding from AIGSF, but without a deep technical research background, still meet the requirements?
I think previous experience taking on operationally challenging projects is definitely the most important thing here, though it may not necessarily be traditional job experience (running a student group or local group can also provide good experience here). Beyond that, demonstrating pragmatism and worldliness in interviews (for example, when discussing real or hypothetical operational or time management challenges) is useful.
I think an important quality in a role like this is steadiness — not getting easily overwhelmed by juggling a lot of competing tasks, having the ability to get the easy stuff done quickly and make smart calls about prioritizing between the harder more nebulous tasks. And across all our roles, being comfortable with upward feedback and disagreement is key.
Questions for the 5.3 Executive Assistant, Technical AI Safety role
Hi :) I’d (also also) love to think about this role more proactively—here are some questions I had in mind that would really provide helpful context!
Bolded are the 2 most pressing questions I have:
What ways are you looking for candidates to showcase their ability as a generalist, demonstrating a capacity to excel in a variety of tasks and roles (apart from showing previous experiences)?
What are the intangible qualities in a team member that, while not easily quantified, significantly contribute to their effectiveness?
What systems does Ajeya currently utilize to manage time, tasks, and energy? What are the primary challenges or roadblocks she’s encountering, and where are the major inefficiencies?
Could you identify a specific issue Ajeya is facing with her organizational systems, particularly any low-hanging fruit that could be addressed for quick improvements?
What level of knowledge in AI safety is preferred? Would a candidate with a foundational understanding from AIGSF, but without a deep technical research background, still meet the requirements?
Thanks Mishaal!
I think previous experience taking on operationally challenging projects is definitely the most important thing here, though it may not necessarily be traditional job experience (running a student group or local group can also provide good experience here). Beyond that, demonstrating pragmatism and worldliness in interviews (for example, when discussing real or hypothetical operational or time management challenges) is useful.
I think an important quality in a role like this is steadiness — not getting easily overwhelmed by juggling a lot of competing tasks, having the ability to get the easy stuff done quickly and make smart calls about prioritizing between the harder more nebulous tasks. And across all our roles, being comfortable with upward feedback and disagreement is key.