EAG Talks

Watch on YouTubeJoin us for an opening talk from Kelsey Piper.Kelsey is a senior writer at Vox's Future Perfect, where she writes about global health, science, and tech.

Watch on YouTubeWhich nonhumans matter, how much do they matter, and what do we owe them in a world reshaped by human activity? In this talk, Jeff Sebo argues that humanity should include all potentially significant beings in our moral community, with transformative implications for our lives and societies. He then examines a variety of questions that humanity will confront regarding creation ethics and population ethics. For example, should we accept the “rebugnant conclusion” that large groups of small beings matter more than small groups of large beings? Either way, what follows for our policies and priorities, at present and in the future?Jeff Sebo is Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Affiliated Professor of Bioethics, Medical Ethics, Philosophy, and Law, Director of the Center for Environmental and Animal Protection, Director of the Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy, and Co-Director of the Wild Animal Welfare Program at New York University. His research focuses on animal minds, ethics, and policy; AI minds, ethics, and policy; and global health and climate ethics and policy.He is the author of The Moral Circle and Saving Animals, Saving Ourselves and co-author of Chimpanzee Rights and Food, Animals, and the Environment. He is also a board member at Minding Animals International, an advisory board member at the Insect Welfare Research Society, and a senior affiliate at the Institute for Law & AI. In 2024 Vox included him on its Future Perfect 50 list of "thinkers, innovators, and changemakers who are working to make the future a better place."

Watch on YouTubeJoin Marcus Davis as he examines how Rethink Priorities has refined its research methodology and theory of change over time. Drawing from concrete examples, he'll share key insights for researchers and organizations aiming to maximize their impact through systematic investigation. This session will offer practical takeaways for conducting and structuring research that drives meaningful change.Marcus is the CEO of Rethink Priorities (RP). Marcus co-founded RP with Peter Wildeford in 2018. In his role as CEO, Marcus leads RP’s research and strategy. He’s also a co-founder of Charity Entrepreneurship and Charity Science Health.

Watch on YouTubeAI could enable a tiny group of humans, or just one human, to take over a country and even the world. This risk is ballpark similar probability to AI takeover, and would be similarly bad if it happened. But there's been significantly (10X) less effort to reduce it. This talk aims to raise awareness and understanding of the risk, and discuss counter-measures.Tom is a Senior Research Analyst at Open Philanthropy He is currently working on assessing whether AI could lead to significant and long-lasting concentrations of power. Previously, he's worked on AI timelines (when AGI will be developed) and AI takeoff speeds (how rapidly AI capabilities will improve around the time of AGI). Prior to joining Open Philanthropy, Tom worked as a Data Scientist for education technology startup BridgeU and taught science at a UK comprehensive school. He has a Masters in Physics and Philosophy from the University of Oxford.

Watch on YouTubeConsciousness in contemporary or near-future AI systems is becoming a matter of practical concern. To make wise decisions about such systems, it will be important to have a model of their probabilities of consciousness and how those probabilities will change with new advancements.In this talk, Hayley and Derek will delve into an ongoing Rethink Priorities project: a framework for estimating the probability of consciousness in artificial systems. They will explore the critical challenges in evaluating AI consciousness and share the strategic decisions guiding their work.Hayley Clatterbuck is a Senior Researcher on the Worldview Investigations Team at Rethink Priorities and a Visiting Associate Professor of Philosophy at UCLA.Derek Shiller is a researcher on the Worldview Investigations team at Rethink Priorities, where he explores foundational questions ranging from digital consciousness to philanthropic decision-making. He holds a PhD in philosophy from Princeton University and has published work on topics in ethics and the philosophy of mind.

Watch on YouTubeFactory farming, the industrial-scale harming of animals raised for food, is arguably the greatest moral atrocity of our time. Every year, 91 billion land animals, 124 billion finfishes, and trillions of crustaceans are farmed globally, with the vast majority suffering from psychological and physical harms.Despite the “David and Goliath” nature of a $300 million global animal movement working to reform a $1.4 trillion industry, NGOs are creating and leveraging opportunities to advance welfare policies, build sustainable food systems, and prevent more harmful industries from emerging. This talk focuses on current and emerging leverage points for farmed animal welfare movement strategy.Zoë is the Director of Programs at Farmed Animal Funders, a donor learning community made up of foundations and individuals donating $250,000+ annually to end factory farming. Additionally, Zoë serves as a Fund Manager with the Effective Altruism Animal Welfare Fund. Previously, Zoë led an international team at Mercy For Animals in partnering with global food companies to develop meaningful farmed animal welfare policies.To support the wider animal protection movement, she has mentored and trained organizations around the world in corporate outreach techniques and strategy, and spoken at international animal protection and effective altruism conferences. She holds a Master of Food and Agriculture Law and Policy degree from Vermont Law School and a BA in Biology and Environmental Studies.

Watch on YouTubeIn this fireside chat, Tom Davidson and William MacAskill will discuss whether AI could help a small group of humans seize power, how to get to the best possible future, and other neglected topics in AGI preparedness.William MacAskill is an associate professor in philosophy at the University of Oxford. At the time of his appointment, he was the youngest associate professor of philosophy in the world. He also cofounded the nonprofits Giving What We Can, the Centre for Effective Altruism, and 80,000 Hours, which together have moved over $300 million to effective charities. He’s the author of What We Owe The Future, Doing Good Better, and Moral Uncertainty.Tom is a Senior Research Analyst at Open Philanthropy He is currently working on assessing whether AI could lead to significant and long-lasting concentrations of power. Previously, he's worked on AI timelines (when AGI will be developed) and AI takeoff speeds (how rapidly AI capabilities will improve around the time of AGI). Prior to joining Open Philanthropy, Tom worked as a Data Scientist for education technology startup BridgeU and taught science at a UK comprehensive school. He has a Masters in Physics and Philosophy from the University of Oxford.

Watch on YouTubePolicymaker decisions can be very consequential, and in recent years many have been interested in ensuring that these decisions are evidence-based. However, there are several barriers to evidence-based decision-making. This talk discusses barriers in generating evidence, interpreting evidence, and acting on evidence, drawing on work from several papers on stumbling blocks in the evidence-to-policy pipeline: "How Much Can We Generalize from Impact Evaluations?", "How Do Policymakers Update Their Beliefs?" (joint with Aidan Coville), "Local Knowledge, Formal Evidence, and Policy Decisions" (joint with Aidan Coville and Sampada KC).

Watch on YouTubeIt's hard to know what to think about lots of foundational moral questions. As a result, it's hard to know how to prioritize among the various giving opportunities available to us. The goal of this talk is to show people how Rethink Priorities' Moral Parliament Tool can help you think through some of the tricky questions associated with building a giving portfolio under moral uncertainty.

Watch on YouTubeJames Rayton, Giving What We Can's Head of Community, gives an inside view of their organisational strategy and a chance to feed into the thinking on how to achieve their bold plans for the future.

Watch on YouTubeA human challenge model (where volunteers are deliberately infected with a pathogen) may represent the only way to advance hepatitis C vaccine development in the foreseeable future. A foundational hepatitis C challenge study will likely begin in Toronto in 2025. This session discusses the proposed hepatitis C study, participation in a high-impact medical trials more generally, and some of the career paths in academia, government, public health, and medicine that intersect with such research.

Watch on YouTubeNutrition International's Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS) program is a life-saving nutrition intervention that has reached more than 150 million children per year, with more than 10 billion capsules provided globally since 1998. It is both high impact and incredibly low cost. For the last two years, GiveWell has recommended a grant for Nutrition International's VAS program in Chad. Nutrition International is a global nutrition organization based out of Ottawa, dedicated to the fight against malnutrition.

Watch on YouTubeThis talk discusses the relationships between two important cause areas: wild animal welfare and farmed animal welfare. The talk covera various considerations relevant to cause prioritization, but does not argue that one area warrants a higher level of priority than the other. Regardless of which area you work in, what matters most is doing activism that's sensitive to the impact that work in one area can have on the other

Watch on YouTubeEveryone will be affected by increasingly powerful AI systems, so everyone should be empowered to understand AI risks. This talk explores how to make AI risk and safety ideas more accessible through the use of engaging analogies. The goal is to provide interesting ways of framing AI risk and safety for both the audience and to share with others.

Watch on YouTubeMatt from 80,000 Hours offers reflections on hundreds of career conversations he's had. He speaks to some of the core assumptions behind 80k's career recommendations that often go overlooked with special focus on the talent bar in EA direct work and how people should be orienting towards it and pushing themselves to clear it.

Watch on YouTubeWhat are the Nordic & Baltic comparative advantages to have a positive impact in the world? This talk explores the unique strengths and opportunities of the Nordic effective altruism community to do good. Drawing on insights from workshops with community builders in the Nordics & Baltic countries, Maria Bækkelie and Laura M. Kull shares patterns, challenges, and ideas for how the region can best contribute to global impact.Maria Bækkelie serves as the Community and Event Manager at Effective Altruism Norway. Her extensive involvement with the Norwegian Effective Altruism community includes co-founding both Gi Effektivt and EA Norway. Prior to her current role, Maria was a Job Board Curator and Designer at 80,000 Hours, and the Managing Director of Gi Effektivt. Additionally, she has experience as a service designer in both the private and public sectors. Maria holds a degree in Industrial Design Engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.Laura Maria Kull is a board member and the introductory fellowship coordinator for Effective Altruism Estonia. She is also a community builder on a local level in Norway as well as an event organizer - currently as the Baltics Lead for the EAGxNordics 2025. Outside of the EA world, she has been working in the public sector on both a local and a European level.

Watch on YouTubeWhat if your work could help billions and still feel like a privilege? In this talk, Niklas Fjeldberg explores why animal advocacy is one of the most impactful, neglected, and purpose-driven fields you can enter today. Drawing from his own journey — going from concerned citizen to full-time campaigner at Anima International — he illustrates how accessible and meaningful this path can be, even without prior experience. Whether you're searching for purpose, scale, or neglected opportunities, this session gives you concrete reasons to consider working for animals. Niklas Fjelberg works with Anima International in Norway and has over five years of experience in the animal advocacy movement. His work spans campaigning, corporate outreach, operations, marketing, and organizational development, contributing to initiatives across multiple countries. Niklas is leading efforts to transform the broiler industry in Norway and has successfully helped improve the lives of millions of animals. He plays a central role in shaping strategy and building international capacity within the organization. Niklas holds a degree in mechanical engineering.

Watch on YouTubeJoin Einar Urdshals as he introduces how Singular Learning Theory (SLT) can help advance AI safety. As AI systems grow more powerful, we need to understand how they learn and generalize to ensure they remain aligned. Einar shares how Timaeus applies mathematical frameworks to connect training data, model structure and behavior. Discover why "you are what you eat" applies to AI systems, and how understanding learning dynamics could be key to building AI that reliably acts according to human values.Einar Urdshals is a Researcher at Timaeus where he applies Singular Learning Theory to AI safety challenges. With a background in theoretical physics and mechanistic and developmental interpretability, his recent work focuses on preventing weight exfiltration by studying theoretical limits of model compression.

Watch on YouTubeTim LeBon explores two common mental health challenges in the effective altruism community: perfectionism and imposter syndrome. Learn about their causes, what keeps them going, and practical CBT tips to overcome them.Tim is a CBT therapist, author, and speaker with a background in philosophy from Oxford. He’s worked widely with effective altruists, appeared on the 80,000 Hours Podcast, and is the author of ""Wise Therapy"", ""Achieve Your Potential with Positive Psychology"", and ""365 Ways to Be More Stoic"".

Watch on YouTubeThis session explores the ambitious global initiative to develop safe and effective vaccines within 100 days of a pandemic threat's identification. Stig Tollefsen from CEPI discusses the strategic innovations required to achieve this mission, including creating vaccine libraries, establishing global clinical trial networks, and expanding manufacturing capabilities. Learn how this paradigm shift could dramatically reduce pandemic impacts—potentially saving millions of lives and trillions in economic losses—and what scientific and logistical breakthroughs are needed to transform our pandemic response capabilities from reactive to proactive.Stig Tollefsen is Lead at Research and Development Innovations department at Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and is overseeing multiple call for proposals in CEPI, among them several rounds of COVID-19 vaccine development calls. He established and launched CEPI’s TechTalks platform as an interactive meeting platform between vaccine and technology developers and CEPI internal experts, having conducted more than 600 TechTalks since 2019. The main activity is e-scouting for innovative technologies across the globe that can enable CEPI’s 100 Days Mission for vaccine development. Stig is an immunologist with a PhD from the University of Oslo, with expertise in T-cell responses in autoimmune diseases and working with DNA vaccination, as well as working with adaptive immunity in ruminants at the Norwegian Veterinary Institute. He's held strategic roles at CEPI since 2019.

Watch on YouTubeOur global food system drives some of the most urgent challenges of our time — from systematic animal suffering to climate breakdown. Veganism offers a simple, exponentially scalable, and cost-effective solution to these crises. In this talk, Lars Corvinius Olesen and Aimee Alminde argues that veganism deserves a central place within Effective Altruism, not just as a dietary choice but as a transformative moral shift. Challenging the view of other species as resources reshapes our view of sentient beings. They explore how mainstreaming veganism as a systemic solution might be one of the most effective ways to reduce suffering and address more problems than expected.Lars Corvinius Olesen grew up in a traditional Danish farming and fishing community—his family even ran mink farms. Educated with a Master’s in Business Communication and experience in PR and press strategy, Lars has all the skills to sell more shoes and cars—but chose instead to switch careers and sell ideas for a better world. Since going vegan in 2018, he’s used his voice to shift media narratives and build bridges between policymakers, industry leaders, and the public to create lasting change for animals, the planet, and future generations.Aimee Alminde leads volunteer engagement and coordinates local chapters for Dyrenes Alliance. She ensures that regional teams are supported, aligned, and equipped to run high-impact campaigns that advance animal advocacy. By building strong local structures and optimizing volunteer coordination, Aimee helps scale grassroots efforts that contribute to systemic change. Her focus is on enabling others to take effective action — turning motivation into measurable impact for animals, the climate, and the future. She is driven by the belief that well-supported communities are key to creating lasting, large-scale change.

Watch on YouTubeIn this talk, Kari and Ulrik from Gi Effektivt and Giv Effektivt explore how evidence and expert analysis can multiply the impact of your donations by 10 or even 100 times. Learn why some charities are far more effective than others, why giving well is a moral responsibility, and how our minds can mislead us when choosing where to give. Discover how to be a generous superhero - by making your donations save and improve lives as much as possible.Kari Kjørholt is the managing director of Gi Effektivt, the Norwegian effective giving organisation that fundraises for "best-in-class" evidence-based charity interventions. She has several years of experience guiding donors who want to maximise their impact, with deep knowledge of the most effective approaches to global health, poverty alleviation, education, and climate. With an engineering degree from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and a background in the private sector, Kari combines analytical insight with a strong personal commitment to creating a better world.Ulrik Koefoed Johnsen is the managing director of Giv Effektivt, the Danish effective giving organisation that fundraises for "best-in-class" evidence-based charity interventions. He spent several years in Buddhist monasteries and meditation centers before discovering effective giving and earning a degree in economics and philosophy from Copenhagen Business School - blending ethical purpose with the science of doing good. During his studies, Ulrik worked as a personal assistant to a National Geographic photographer and nature conservationist.

Watch on YouTubeWhat does responsible AI governance actually look like on the ground—and how can we influence its future directions? In this talk, Uma Kalkar draws on insights from the Global Index on Responsible AI (GIRAI) to explore global trends shaping the future of AI governance. She explores actionable strategies for those working to ensure AI develops in ways that are safe, inclusive, and aligned.Uma Kalkar is a data governance and AI policy expert. She uses strategic foresight to anticipate long-term risks and opportunities in emerging technologies, supporting democratic decision-making and cooperation in the face of accelerating technological change. Her contributions to civic engagement and technology have been recognized by institutions including the Aspen Institute, Forbes, and the Stanford d.school. Her work has been featured by The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and Global News Canada, and she is a frequent speaker on technology futures. Uma is a Rising Leader Fellow at the Aspen Institute UK, a former Aspen Ideas Fellow, and a former Presidential Fellow at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress.

Watch on YouTubeZach Robinson, CEO of the Centre for Effective Altruism, challenges the misconception that EA is populated by "cold, uncaring, spreadsheet-obsessed robots."In this EA Global London 2025 opening talk, he argues that most people in EA are driven BY their feelings—anger about global health gaps, sadness about animal suffering, fear about AI risks—not despite them. The difference? They don't stop at feeling. They act.

Watch on YouTubeIn an environment where global tensions surge, geopolitical rivalries intensify, and debates over expanding arsenals become ever more heated, the risk emerges that instability—fueled by misperceptions, misinterpretations and communication breakdowns—could inadvertently propel us toward a nuclear confrontation. In this context, a new arms race is underway: one that seeks a strategic edge by incorporating advanced AI into nuclear decision-making processes. This talk explores the risks at the AI-nuclear nexus, analyzing how various integrations can influence escalation dynamics and potentially lead to unintended nuclear escalation. Moreover, it discusses what future developments might hold, and examines the platforms where discussions on AI in nuclear decision-making have already begun—offering insights on diplomatic measures that could be employed to avoid catastrophic nuclear risks.Alice Saltini is a Non-Resident Expert on AI at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) and an AI-Nuclear Policy Advisor at the Institute for Security and Technology (IST), specializing in the impact of AI on nuclear decision-making. She advises governments and international organizations on managing AI-related nuclear risks, focusing on mitigating the challenges of integrating AI into military and nuclear weapons systems by translating complex technical concepts into actionable policy insights. She has published extensively on military applications of AI and has developed a general-purpose risk assessment framework for analyzing AI and nuclear risks. Previously, Alice worked at the European Leadership Network, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization and CNS. Alice is part of the Executive Committee for the Younger Generation Leaders Network and was a CENESS-CTBTO Research Fellow. She holds a Master’s degree in Russian Studies and a Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) in Nonproliferation Studies from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.

Watch on YouTubeInnovation is the key driver of growth and increases in human wellbeing. Investing in innovation can be extremely cost-effective, because the costs of developing and testing new innovations are relatively low, but they can have huge impacts if scaled up by governments or firms to reach millions of people.Michael Kremer, 2019 economics Nobel Laureate, discusses his experience as a researcher developing innovations and as a funder. Kremer co-founded and served as scientific director for USAID's Development Innovation Ventures. Michael also discusses the potential of AI for global health development, including the potential of AI Weather forecasting to reduce poverty and improve food security.Professor Michael Kremer directs the Development Innovation Lab at the University of Chicago, where he is an Economics Professor. He is the joint winner of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics for the “experimental approach to alleviating global poverty”.

Watch on YouTubeLeadership transitions are pivotal but inevitable moments in an organization's life cycle that can either strengthen or destabilize it—and how it will go is often decided by actions taken months, if not years in advance. Joey Savoie focuses on how teams facing transitions can preserve organizational integrity while leveraging the energy and opportunities of a change in leadership, covering real world examples and actionable principles.Joey Savoie is the co-founder and CEO of Ambitious Impact (formerly “Charity Entrepreneurship”), where he has helped launch over 40 high-impact charities endorsed by evaluators such as GiveWell, Animal Charity Evaluators, and Founders Pledge.

Watch on YouTubeDevelopment economist Rachel Glennerster discusses reasons for optimism in global development despite recent aid cuts and declining international cooperation. She explores how innovation drives human progress and examines advanced market commitments as tools for promoting innovation where social and private benefits are misaligned.Glennerster addresses challenges facing the development sector, including the merger of aid and foreign affairs departments, and shares insights on advocacy strategies that work with governments.Rachel Glennerster is President of the Center for Global Development and a leading development economist. Rachel has pioneered the use of randomized trials to inform policy on health, education, democracy and women’s empowerment, and shaped markets to spur innovation on global challenges like pandemics and climate change.

Watch on YouTubeMost people believe forecasting gets systematically harder over longer time periods — that it is hard to see further through the mists of time. But there are many forecasting questions for which the reverse is true. In this talk, Toby Ord shows how this can be, teasing out a variety of different mechanisms which can make prediction about the further future easier. One upshot is that the prospects of long-term forecasting (and other kinds of systematic enquiry about the long-term future) are more promising than one may have thought.Toby Ord is a philosopher at Oxford University whose work focuses on the big picture questions facing humanity. He co-founded Giving What We Can in 2009 and helped launch the wider effective altruism movement. His 2020 book, "The Precipice," is a landmark exploration of the science and ethics of existential risk.

Watch on YouTubeSaloni Dattani makes the case that data collection isn’t just an academic concern; it’s crucial for policymaking, journalism, and industry, and, in some cases, a matter of life or death.Data collection has changed our understanding of diseases like cholera, tuberculosis and snakebite envenoming; and has been crucial in tracking progress over time and identifying emerging problems.In this talk, Saloni focuses on key global health datasets and how they've helped us grasp the scale, distribution, and changes in disease burden. It will also discuss some of the risks posed by recent funding cuts.Saloni Dattani is a writer, editor, and researcher focused on health, medicine, and meta-science. She is a researcher at Our World in Data, where she writes about trends in global health and the data behind them. She is also a co-founder of Works in Progress, a magazine that explores ideas for improving the world.

Watch on YouTubeWill MacAskill discusses his recent work on preparing for the intelligence explosion and on focusing on trying to reach near-best futures rather than (merely) trying to prevent catastrophe.Will MacAskill is a Senior Research Fellow at Forethought. He's the author of Doing Good Better and What We Owe The Future, and the cofounder of Giving What We Can, 80,000 Hours and the Centre for Effective Altruism.Learn more about effective altruism at: www.effectivealtruism.orgFind out more about EA Global conferences at: www.effectivealtruism.org/ea-global

According to one recent estimate, there are one sextillion animals on Earth that may be sentient, most living in the wild. Yet wild animal welfare is neglected by intergovernmental bodies such as the IPCC. This talk discusses the importance and difficulty of developing a framework for evaluating interventions targeted at improving wild animal welfare. It considers how a model recently developed by Rethink Priorities might be used to quantify wild animal welfare and discusses different theories of population value, identifying sources of uncertainty. It ends with a discussion of preventing the spread of wild animal suffering to other planets. Tim Campbell is a philosopher and research fellow at the Institute for Futures Studies (IFFS) in Stockholm and the Mimir Center for Long Term Futures Research. His research focuses on topics in ethics related to population change, personal identity over time, whole brain emulation, and, most recently, wild animal welfare. Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6b7XRoaq8Q

Darren Margolias, Executive Director of ‪@BeastPhilanthropy‬, answers questions from EA Forum users, posted here: https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/7QfKaF2bnCbuREJNx/ama-beast-philanthropy-s-darren-margolias/ Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ylphNrBjWI

How do narratives affect people and cultures? What role do they play in our attempts to do good? What are the risks and pitfalls to avoid when trying to use stories for positive impact? In this talk, Timon shares some of the key insights he gains from exploring the science of narrative impact and persuasion, and what it takes to craft a story that enriches lives. Timon Renzelmann has an engineering background and a recent Master's in Sustainable Energy Engineering. For the last 3-4 years, alongside his academic studies, he explores the science of narrative impact and what it means for positive impact. He also enjoys writing and reading fiction and is a keen tennis player. Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO4SioAF-zA

AI systems deceiving humans, particularly about their alignment, pose significant challenges for ensuring their safety. Olli Järviniemi talks about his recent research on the deceptive tendencies of language models: will LLMs take deceptive actions without external instruction or pressure to do so? The basic approach is to create a realistic simulation environment and naturally provide opportunities for deception. The focus of this talk is on the experimental setup and results, with some discussion of future research directions. Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynF8QuyO_9Q

In this talk, Maria addresses why it is crucial for the Effective Altruism community to think beyond the 80,000 Hours Job Board and embrace a variety of career paths to enhance our collective impact. Discover the board’s selection process and learn how to apply these principles to find opportunities in your local context, moving beyond the typical UK, US, and remote listings. Gain practical tips for getting started and learn how to overcome the ""approval stamp"" effect that may restrict your career options. Additionally, we discuss how members of local groups can support each other in searching for diverse career paths. Maria serves as the Community and Event Manager at Effective Altruism Norway. Her extensive involvement with the Norwegian Effective Altruism community includes co-founding both Gi Effektivt and EA Norway. Prior to her current role, Maria was a Job Board Curator and Designer at 80,000 Hours and the Managing Director of Gi Effektivt. Additionally, she has experience as a service designer in both the private and public sectors. Maria holds a degree in Industrial Design Engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZyzeg_6_hc

In this talk, Kristian Rönn delves into the compelling notion that humanity’s gravitation towards short-term success and solutions poses a significant threat to our long-term survival and alignment with our deepest values. Dubbing this phenomenon the “Darwinian trap,” Rönn outlines how it underpins many of today’s most pressing issues—from the degradation of our workplaces to the global catastrophic threats of nuclear war, climate change, and artificial intelligence. He posits that by fostering cooperation and adopting principles from accounting—to accurately assess, track, and manage what truly matters—we can evade evolutionary traps, i.e., short-term successes and solutions that pose a significant threat to our long-term survival amidst the accelerating pace of technological advancement. Kristian left the Future of Humanity Institute at Oxford University to found the carbon accounting company Normative in 2014. His expertise in mathematics, philosophy, computer science, and AI has led to speaking engagements at notable forums like COP & Davos. Kristian has provided counsel to governments and international bodies and received recognition from the UNDP for his contribution to UN Goal 13. Google.org has acknowledged Kristian as a “Leader to Watch.” Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NwxJmXwI20

The Norwegian think tank Civita is currently working to raise the debate on how the aid budget can be best spent, and how the Norwegian aid system should be structured. By highlighting the alternate costs and pushing for more systematic use of evidence, the aid budget can reach further and produce better outcomes. Project team member Maria Bakken talks about why evidence is so important in development aid and how we can prioritize better in the field of aid and development. Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9ApZkZTwuc

How rich are you really? How much good can giving really do? And why would 8,842 people from 100 countries pledge to donate 10% of their income to effective charities? Join Lucas Moore, Head of Global Coordination at Giving What We Can, in exploring these questions and finding out why it is a mistake not to prioritize giving as part of effective altruism, and how effective giving is the key to unlocking the impact that effective altruism seeks to create. Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veg3yfVS1yg

This talk shared about the Taimaka's Project theory of change, outlining their inputs to outcomes and demonstrate how their theory of change improves lives. Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npNfScjwc2M

This talk introduced Lafiya Nigeria, a non-profit dedicated to providing women with contraception. It is focused on optimizing cost-effective solutions, making it competitive with GiveWell's top charities in terms of cost-effectiveness. The talk shared about the Lafiya Nigeria model and the lessons that have been learned so far. Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e6p29EmEMU

This panel session brings representatives from three organizations implementing health interventions in Nigeria, sharing more about their interventions, experience, and critical lessons from their operation. Panelists concurred that data-driven decision-making, proper stakeholder engagement, and public-private partnerships are vital for intervention success. They emphasized the importance of contextual understanding, cultural sensitivity, and collaboration with local stakeholders to ensure effective implementation. Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M9kcNhI6Lo

This talk focused on effective altruism and animals, sharing how factory farming is rising in Africa and what can be done to address the problem. It draws from Animal Advocacy Africa's (AAA) recent research with Bryant Research, "Preventing Factory Farming in Africa: Strategic Considerations," and four intervention-specific reports by AAA (which were made available online before the conference). Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuaXslLbrME

This talk explored research findings, such as the 5 Freedoms of Animal Welfare and recent discoveries revealing that many animals are sentient, meaning they "feel" a range of emotions, including fear, happiness, and suffering, similar to humans. The talk emphasized that a cage-free Africa is crucial to ensuring the welfare of animals on the continent. Watch on Youtube:

This talk walked participants through a mind-shifting conversation between the present and the future and focused on inspiring and interrogating human actions and their long-term impacts. Additionally, the talk introduced the concept of long-term thinking and future literacy as essential skills for navigating the complexity of future challenges. Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eEIjZUcUkI

This is talk about the Data for Activism and it focused on enligting how data can be leveraged to empower citizens to demand transparency and accountability for good governance. Most references from the talk are in Nigerian context. Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKwp6n2yg5w

This talk shared how Innovation Poverty Action (IPA) uses rigorous evidence to inform policies and programs for achieving effective outcomes. It shared case studies on how IPA uses evidence to inform its policy recommendation and program delivery. Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PH31TA4Vpo

This talk shared how Evidence Action strategically is reducing global health inequities by removing some of the biggest health barriers children and adolescents face. It shared the case for its deworming program in Nigeria. Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLhFmaqM4W8

Community Health Workers (CHWs) are critical in bringing healthcare services to underserved communities. This talk shared Dimagi CommCare Connect learnings from applying Effective Altruism principles to deploy CommCare Connect across 7 countries. The talk featured case studies from completed projects where CHWs successfully completed a full Learn, Deliver, Verify, and Pay cycle autonomously. Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CzsXLiOoVg

This talk introduces Ambitious Impact's 5 different programs, as well as other impactful career paths, including - Charity founding, Earning to give, Research, For-profit Entrepreneurship, and more. the talk shared various different traits useful for each pathway, how you can upskill and maximise your chance of success and what each program looks like. Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_78fL0sc4hA