Hello. I am a young man about who's quite worried about Ai, like many here, and I'd like to know if I could help in any way.
I can't donate much money, at least not for a few years, and from reading So8res' recent post, money won't be much of an issue in a few years.
However, I am fairly intelligent, and I think I could help a little research wise. Of course, after a few years of rigorous study.
But there are many people at least as intelligent as I, so perhaps my trying to help wouldn't make any difference.
The issue is, I'm in no place to know. If someone out there is working in the field and comes across this, please advise me on what to do. Should I study hard and try and help a little, or would going down this path be fruitless?
You could look at MIRI's research page to judge if its research is something you could contribute to. You could start by commenting on new AI related posts on LW. My guess is that in a few years time MIRI will still say that there is a high marginal benefit to them having more money. Don't let the fact that you can't donate lots of money stop you from donating small sums, even just $5 a year.
This thread is for asking any questions that might seem obvious, tangential, silly or what-have-you. Don't be shy, everyone has holes in their knowledge, though the fewer and the smaller we can make them, the better.
Please be respectful of other people's admitting ignorance and don't mock them for it, as they're doing a noble thing.
To any future monthly posters of SQ threads, please remember to add the "stupid_questions" tag.