October 2024
Brief
Headlines
Updates from the consulting industry + the world's biggest problemsFollowing pressure from VC firms and large labs, California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed SB 1047 (archived version), the first major regulatory attempt to hold the largest AI model makers accountable for catastrophic economic damages or loss of life. -New York Times
New analysis: Five flaws make the consulting industry "especially vulnerable to disruption" as human expertise and intellectual labor become increasingly commoditized." -Inc
OpenAI's new model, "o1." has scored a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear risk rating of "medium" for the first time, including findings that the models "can help experts with the operational planning of reproducing a known biological threat." -Transformer
The WHO has approved a new mpox vaccine, calling it an "important step" in the fight against the virus. This decision may accelerate national regulatory processes, improving access to vaccines in regions experiencing outbreaks. -The Hill
This month, PwC is set to notify the approximately 1,800 employees who are affected by the firm's first formal layoffs since 2009 (archived version): primarily in the U.S. advisory and products and technology operations. -The Wall Street Journal
Farming groups, nonprofits, and veterinarians submitted amicus briefs supporting Legal Impact for Chicken's case against KFC for animal cruelty towards newborn chicks. -FAST Forum
Quick wins
Want to change directions this fall? Start here.
Do you know what AI can do right now? Are you sure? Test your intuitions with an interactive game: "AI Can or Can't."
1DaySooner is accepting volunteers to participate in human challenge trials that aim to rapidly accelerate vaccine and other medical developments.
Considering working in animal welfare? Get up to speed with Animal Advocacy Careers' new intro course.
What's a "Darwinian demon?" Climate tech CEO Kristian Ronn has a new book on high-stakes situations where short-term survival goals conflict with group welfare.
Suggest a question for "Humanity's Last Exam," the world's most difficult public AI benchmark, for a chance to win money from a $500,000 prize pool.
Deep reads
A closer look at complex, critical topics
Shadow an ex-consultant working as a program associate in farm animal welfare at Open Philanthropy in this "day in the life" post. -Open Philanthropy
From r/consulting: OpenAI's GPT o1 takes on the McKinsey case interview (and performs well). -Reddit
Introducing the top four charity ideas launching through the February 2025 Incubation Program. -Ambitious Impact
Follow up to 10 technologies that won't exist in 5 years: what can the US government do to make these technologies exist? -Jacob Trefethen
To become more effective, manage your energy, not your time. -HBR
"As the demands of the workplace keep rising, many people respond by putting in ever longer hours,..Meanwhile, people take for granted what fuels their capacity to work-their energy." -Tony Schwartz and Catherine McCarthy for HBR
Coming up
If an event has an asterisk, our team plans to attend! Come say hello.
Applications closing soon for Greater NYC Area Fall Retreat, November 8-10!*
October
- Policy Epidemiology for Emerging Infectious Diseases, October 10
- A Day in the Life of Alt. Protein Product Development & Management Professional, October 16
- Community Meetup for the Abolition of Suffering, October 19
November
- EA Global: Boston 2024, November 1-3*
- 2024 Christians for Impact Conference, November 8-9
Meet the Member
Mick Yang, ex-BCG, chatted with us about his recent decision to leave the firm to start a master's degree in AI safety at the University of Pennsylvania.
On going back to school full-time: "I wanted to understand the ins and outs of the technical systems I'm forming strong opinions on."
On choosing AI safety: "The whole point of working on AI safety is the belief that this technology will have a massive impact on human society now and in the future. It's our obligation to try and make it better."
Read more at ConsultantsforImpact.org
Jobs
Your three-year transition plan just got a lot shorter
- Charity Entrepreneurship Program Manager, Philanthropic Porgrams Director, Ambitious Impact(Apply by October 27)
- Chief of Staff, Fortify Health (Apply by November 1)
- Product Policy Manager, Bio, Chem, and Nuclear Risks, Anthropic(Rolling)
- Principal Product Manager, AGI Policy, Amazon (Rolling)
- Technical Program Manager and Strategy Lead, Evaluations, UK Government, AI Safety Institute (Rolling)
- Chief Operating Officer, Center for AI Safety (Rolling)
- Program Manager, Fish Welfare Initiative (Rolling)
- Cause Area Lead, Global Health and Development, Advisor, Founders Pledge (Rolling)
Want to talk jobs?
Our team has 15+ years of experience in the consulting industry, have each personally transitioned into higher impact roles, and would love to help you do the same!
Dud Bounty
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