Alex Au's Shortform

Alex Au

This is a special post for quick takes by Alex Au. Only they can create top-level comments. Comments here also appear on the Quick Takes page and All Posts page.

A feeling of helplessness:

I am a young software engineer in Australia, completely fed up with the way my workplace uses AI with a severe lack of understanding or governance. My motivation to contribute to AI safety grows everyday, yet, I feel so helpless in my journey to contribute. Building my portfolio of experiments, publications and writeups outside of work hours feels like I'm getting left behind by how fast we are moving, and as much as I would love to quit my job to pursue AI safety full time, the financial situation for young Australians is tough enough as it is. I feel like I am doing all that I can, and applying to all the opportunities I can, but somehow it still doesnt feel nearly enough.

I hope to meaningfully contribute some day, it pains me to see so many friends and family so concerned and scared about the future, and to sit here and feel like I can do nothing about it.

I'm not sure how far along you are on the research path, but you might find that getting into AI safety related engineering work is easier than switching fields (although still difficult if you want to be remote).

I'm not familiar with jobs in Australia, but the hardest part of getting into AI safety is orienting yourself and networking. Meeting up with EAs or AI safety groups in person will help a lot, and you might want to try attending the EAGxAustralasia or other local meetups.

A feeling of helplessness:

I hope to meaningfully contribute some day, it pains me to see so many friends and family so concerned and scared about the future, and to sit here and feel like I can do nothing about it.

Alex Au's Shortform

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