Thanks for the insights! The structured research program at UChicago you describe is exactly what we’re trying to do now, but it’s too soon to say whether or not it’s working.
I think the idea of giving people their first research experience can be valuable, although we tend to find the students who are attracted to these opportunities already have/are getting research experience, even if they are at a “very junior level.” Something like <5% of new undergraduates that self-select into wanting to do research with us don’t already have exposure to technical research, so I’m unsure how valuable that as a goal is.
I think what’s high-impact here is getting people to their first published work related to AI safety, which can dramatically shorten timelines to FTE work.
Thanks for the insights! The structured research program at UChicago you describe is exactly what we’re trying to do now, but it’s too soon to say whether or not it’s working.
I think the idea of giving people their first research experience can be valuable, although we tend to find the students who are attracted to these opportunities already have/are getting research experience, even if they are at a “very junior level.” Something like <5% of new undergraduates that self-select into wanting to do research with us don’t already have exposure to technical research, so I’m unsure how valuable that as a goal is.
I think what’s high-impact here is getting people to their first published work related to AI safety, which can dramatically shorten timelines to FTE work.