Application Guide

How to Apply for Technical AI Safety Upskilling Resources

at 80,000 Hours

🏢 About 80,000 Hours

80,000 Hours is unique as a nonprofit focused specifically on career guidance for high-impact problems, particularly in effective altruism and existential risk reduction. They combine rigorous research with practical career advice, making them a central hub for individuals seeking to maximize their positive impact through their careers. Working here means contributing directly to solving critical skill shortages in areas like AI safety.

About This Role

This role involves creating and maintaining a centralized repository of technical AI safety learning materials, from courses to research papers, to help individuals build expertise in this critical field. It's impactful because it directly addresses the talent bottleneck in AI safety by providing clear, vetted pathways for technical upskilling, supporting 80,000 Hours' mission to funnel talent toward pressing global problems.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve researching new AI safety papers or courses, evaluating their relevance and quality for the resource list, and updating the database with annotations or rankings. You'd likely collaborate with the advising team to tailor recommendations for specific career queries, and participate in team discussions to stay aligned with 80,000 Hours' broader goals and emerging trends in the field.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who 80,000 Hours Is Looking For

  • Has a solid grasp of technical AI safety subfields (e.g., alignment, robustness, governance) and can distinguish between foundational and advanced resources
  • Demonstrates experience in curating or evaluating technical educational content, possibly through blogging, community resource lists, or academic work
  • Is embedded in or deeply familiar with the AI safety ecosystem, knowing key organizations (e.g., MIRI, CHAI, Apollo Research), researchers, and ongoing projects
  • Can translate complex technical concepts into accessible learning pathways for diverse audiences, from beginners to experts

📝 Tips for Applying to 80,000 Hours

1

Include a portfolio or examples of prior curation work, such as a curated list of AI safety resources, a blog post analyzing educational materials, or contributions to community wikis

2

Tailor your resume to highlight specific projects where you researched or evaluated technical AI safety content, using metrics like resource usage or community feedback if possible

3

Mention your familiarity with 80,000 Hours' existing content (e.g., their career guides or problem profiles) and suggest how you'd expand or improve their technical AI safety resources

4

Demonstrate your network within the AI safety community by referencing specific organizations, events, or individuals you engage with

5

Prepare to discuss how you'd prioritize resources for different skill levels (e.g., beginners vs. researchers) and update the list as the field evolves

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Explain your personal motivation for AI safety and how it aligns with 80,000 Hours' focus on high-impact careers, referencing their research or values", "Detail a specific example of how you've identified or evaluated a technical AI safety resource, including the criteria you used and the outcome", 'Describe how you stay updated on AI safety developments and propose one concrete idea for improving their current resource offerings', 'Highlight any experience advising or mentoring others in technical topics, as this role supports their advising team']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review 80,000 Hours' existing AI safety career guide and problem profile to understand their current stance and resource recommendations
  • → Explore their blog and research publications to grasp their methodology for evaluating career impact and skill bottlenecks
  • → Look into their team and advisors to see how this role fits within their organizational structure and mission
  • → Familiarize yourself with their key partnerships or projects in the AI safety space, such as collaborations with other effective altruism organizations
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you evaluate the quality of a technical AI safety course or paper? What metrics or criteria would you use?
2 Describe the current landscape of technical AI safety resources. What gaps exist, and how would you address them in this role?
3 How would you collaborate with the advising team to create personalized upskilling pathways for someone with a background in machine learning versus someone from a non-technical field?
4 What are the most important recent developments in AI safety, and how would you incorporate them into the resource list?
5 How do you balance comprehensiveness with usability when curating a large list of resources? Give an example from your past work.
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application without mentioning specific AI safety concepts, resources, or 80,000 Hours' work
  • Overemphasizing general AI or machine learning knowledge without demonstrating depth in safety-specific topics like alignment or interpretability
  • Failing to provide concrete examples of curation or research experience, relying instead on vague statements about interest in AI

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to 80,000 Hours!

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