EA Forum Podcast (Curated & popular) “Effective altruism in the age of AGI” by William_MacAskill
Oct 10, 2025
In this engaging discussion, William MacAskill, a philosopher and co-founder of the effective altruism movement, dives deep into how the rapid advancement of AI challenges the future of the EA movement. He proposes a broadened focus, emphasizing neglected areas such as AI welfare, power concentration, and space governance. MacAskill argues that embracing these causes can rejuvenate EA's intellectual vigor while ensuring a smooth transition to a post-AGI society. He also critiques the current PR mentality, urging for a commitment to truth-seeking over brand preservation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Broaden EA For A Post‑AGI Transition
- EA should expand to make the transition to a post-AGI society go well rather than narrowing to legacy causes or only technical AI safety.
- This requires embracing neglected areas like AI welfare, persuasion, power concentration, and space governance while keeping existing priorities.
Concrete Targets For Rebalancing Focus
- MacAskill suggests curriculum and activity shifts: ~30% of curriculum on non-classic AGI preparedness and many online debates focused on post-AGI issues.
- He predicts 15–30% of people could primarily work on these new cause areas over time.
Neglected Post‑AGI Cause Areas
- A longer menu of cause areas matters: AI character, AI welfare, persuasion, coups, democracy preservation, space governance, and more.
- Many of these areas are highly neglected and particularly benefit from EA's truth-seeking, scope-sensitive mindset.
