Really thoughtful piece, you’ve laid out the fiscal side of TAI far more clearly than most discussions I’ve seen.
jikifo5403
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Really enjoyed reading this you explained the shift from ‘data feels harmless’ to ‘data shapes my agency’ in a way that actually hits. I had a similar moment when I realized how casually I was sharing personal stuff with tools online without thinking about where it all goes.
Really interesting points! I completely agree that “coolness” matters much more than many EAs realize, especially for advocacy and public engagement. Hiring top-tier creative talent and investing in professional content is key; without it, even the best ideas can get lost in the noise. Also, simplifying messaging for broader audiences (dropping the caveats for public campaigns) is so important you want people to feel the impact, not get bogged down in footnotes.
very informative post
It is possible to work at non-EA orgs while still contributing meaningfully to AI risk, but the impact usually comes from what you do outside your main job independent research, collaborations, and earning-to-give to support aligned projects. Direct s-risk or alignment roles in profit-driven companies are rare, so many people build financial stability first and then self-fund research or transition later. It’s not ideal, but it’s a realistic path that still lets you stay engaged, keep learning, and contribute where opportunities exist.
This is a really important write-up, and honestly, more people need to be talking about welfare research for invertebrates. The scale alone makes it impossible to ignore if there’s even a chance these animals experience something like pain, funding good science becomes a moral priority.
The work Arthropoda is doing seems incredibly high-leverage, especially given how little we currently understand. Even modest funding could meaningfully shift an entire field, so supporting them really does feel like one of those “small input, huge impact” opportunities.
I’m not applying for the role, but just wanted to mention that I’ve worked with a top accounting firm in Dubai before, and they’ve been great for anyone needing transparent and reliable financial support. Bestax has handled budgeting, audits, and compliance work for me in the past, and their attention to detail was honestly impressive. If you ever need external expertise or recommendations for global accounting setups, they’re one of the few firms I’d personally recommend.