Can we get a browser extension going - whenever it sees that you are on a page describing a job or having an application form, it just loops this gif over the page?

That's a busy town, not sure I can find them before their Appointment, but thanks for the tip!

Another thing I don't see here is the importance of being in the supply chain of AI products. Countries with compute clusters whose compute they export will gain as AI becomes more ubiquitous, countries that are next importers of AI services with no stake in the chain will be harder hit. Even if AI is not substituting labor, but is only necessary productivity boost to keep up with the productivity of other workers, you end up paying a fee from each worker of yours for AI (mostly to developed countries). This may not be a big deal if open source models remain competitive, compute needs go down with algorithmic advancements, etc. but right now all countries are paying mostly US for AI use, and if it remains the case, US will benefit, as will Netherlands, Taiwan and others directly in the supply chain; others, less so.

Thank you for writing this up. I resonate with this a lot. I live in Serbia, work in AIS, and the pull to the Bay is incredibly high. No good solution, coming there 2-3x per year helps somewhat, but also just increases the feel of missing out - it seems as if I get months worth of "unstuck" every time I visit.
At the same time, one thing you did not mention, but that I think is underappreciated, is that family and not living in a hub are great for not burning out. I think being in a hub, being around EAs all the time, having your livelihood tied to EA - all of it makes it hard to stop working due to fear of losing literally everything in your life right now if you "fail".

I would like to see orgs trying to tackle Gradual Disempowerment productively, I am unsure what the work would look like, but it is definitely impactful, likely at least somewhat tractable.

Likely just after these events in August the Eastern Europe Unconference Retreat in Subotica! ;)

In PIBBSS, we've had a mentor note that for alignment to go well, we need more philosophers working on foundational issues in AI rather than more prosaic researchers. I found that interesting, and I currently believe that this is true. Even in short-timeline worlds, we need to figure out some philosophy FAST.

Answering on behalf of PIBBSS, as ED of Operations.

We have our Manifund page, which goes in-depth here:

In brief, PIBBSS is an AI Safety org that does both field-building and research, mostly focused in non-prosaic directions. We organize (in ascending order of seniority of attendees and cost) reading groups, summer fellowships, horizon scanning, and research affiliate programs.

Marginally, funds that you donate would most likely go to either affiliate salaries or fellowship costs (~20.000 USD per marginal fellow for three months based on last year's costs). This requires us to get funding for our fixed costs, but we are fairly optimistic, although our runway expires in ~6 months. If you are a large funder, please get in touch, as we have the capacity for ~3 million or more in field-building and research over the next 18 months.

Reach out with any questions!

ACs are ubiquitous and our office has two, we're not like EU countries ;)

Sorry, was traveling and only saw this now (thanks Gergo)! Generally many places are visa free to us, and if you have Schengen, UK or US visa valid (and have actually traveled to those places at least once on that visa) you can come visa free to Serbia. Visa is also generally good to get, but embassies don't exist in all countries so sometimes you have to ship your passport (from Philippines to Indonesia for example), so do plan accordingly. Happy to help write an invitation letter, but more important for the visa is having booked accommodation, there's cheap hostels walking distance from the office, I'm happy to send links.