[Article] “Working in US AI policy” by Niel Bowerman

The US Government is likely to be a key actor in how advanced AI is developed and used in society. Learn more about this career path. Narrated by AI. ---Outline:(01:12) Summary(02:56) The aims of AI policy(04:11) Advanced AI as a coordination problem(05:22) Definitions: artificial general intelligence and other types of advanced AI system(06:14) Key actors(08:02) Which parts of AI policy do we think are most important to work on?(10:41) Policy careers involve moving between different types of roles and institutions(12:13) Why pursue this path?(13:33) 1. The US government is a powerful actor that may play a key role in the development and deployment of advanced AI systems(13:43) The US government is likely to be involved with the development and deployment of advanced AI systems(13:50) AI and society(15:09) AI and national security(16:21) The US government is a powerful actor(16:25) The US government is well resourced(17:21) The US government has unique abilities(18:08) 2. Individuals can have a large positive impact in government(18:48) Can individual federal employees influence the government?(20:36) How large are the budgets that government officials oversee?(22:37) What are your chances of moving into senior roles in government?(24:03) Comparing the competitiveness of government roles against those in industry(25:08) How meritocratic is career progression within government?(25:43) 3. There is an AI skills shortage in the US government(25:50) AI skills are in demand in government(27:04) Not enough people in government are thinking about catastrophic risks from advanced AI systems(28:01) There are many more roles available for talented people(29:24) 4. Government careers were already a good default option(31:07) Arguments against(31:11) Your social impact in this career path is high risk, high reward(32:51) You need to be in the right place at the right time(33:49) Governments can be difficult to predict(34:32) International coordination problems often haven't been solved historically(37:21) Will you be able to influence any critical junctures associated with the development of AI?(38:36) It is probably better to initially work in AI policy at a top AI lab if you can(40:05) Other arguments against(41:34) How to pursue a career in US AI public policy(41:54) Where to aim long-term(41:58) Political appointees and the Senior Executive Service(43:28) Which parts of government are most relevant?(43:44) US Congress(45:28) US executive branch(48:47) Fellowships(49:19) Other organisations(50:09) Key routes in(54:16) Find opportunities on our job board(54:24) Be careful to avoid doing harm(56:19) Fit: Who is especially well placed to pursue this career?(56:51) What predicts fit?(57:02) Have relevant expertise in an area relevant to AI policy(58:01) The importance of relationships(58:59) Conventional credentials matter(01:00:13) Governments are not nimble(01:01:07) Good judgement and calibration(01:01:36) Other traits(01:03:24) Other personal fit considerations(01:04:40) Which paths could be even better?(01:06:03) Conclusion(01:07:26) American interested in working on AI policy?(01:07:51) Learn more(01:07:55) Getting started in this career(01:08:38) More about AI policy The original text contained 33 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- First published: January 31st, 2019 Last updated: July 31st, 2023 Source: https://80000hours.org/articles/us-ai-policy --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.