Why work in AI Risk
Your role in leading the way to safe AI
By Claire Boine, cofounder and CEO
While AI systems offer significant opportunities to enhance human flourishing in fields like medicine, education, and scientific research, they have already caused documented harms. These include environmental impacts from energy consumption, algorithmic discrimination, mass manipulation of public opinion, and content that has contributed to user psychological harm. Recent research indicates AI systems can exhibit deceptive and scheming behaviors that work against human interests. The challenge of aligning advanced AI with human values represents a critical problem, with prominent AI researchers estimating a 3-50% probability of AI causing catastrophic harm this century—potentially making this one of the most urgent existential challenges humanity has faced.
Yet, this is not a story of doom. The industry would want you to think that AI developments are inevitable and that history is already on its course. As someone who has worked in policy, I can tell you that policymakers can act fast when there is political will. The development of unsafe AI is not inescapable.
This is why we need you. Through the hard work of a small group of people–fewer than a thousand worldwide–much progress has been made. Provisions to regulate General Purpose AI Systems were added into the AI Act. Many AI Safety Institutes were created, which have started publishing guidelines on safe AI developments.
Under the current political ecosystem and given the pace of technological development, we need more people working on AI risks.
One person can make a difference and everybody should try.
At Successif, we guide experienced leaders like you on a journey to tackle this challenge. Whether you're from policy, tech, or leadership backgrounds, your skills and wisdom are invaluable in helping shape the development of safe and beneficial AI.
We understand that transitioning careers to work on AI safety isn't easy. That's why we provide free, customized support through every step – from understanding the technical challenges to connecting with leading organizations in the field. You won't be alone on this journey.
This path offers something rare in today's world: the chance to apply your professional expertise to work that is both deeply meaningful and critically important. While others focus on making AI more powerful, you could be part of the solution that helps ensure this technology benefits all of humanity.
Your experience, combined with our guidance, could help write one of the most important chapters in human history. Whether we develop safe and beneficial AI systems in the coming decades may depend on people like you choosing to take action today.
If you're ready to make your expertise count where it matters most, join us. Together, we can help ensure artificial intelligence becomes one of humanity's greatest achievements rather than its greatest mistake.