[Career review] “Improving China-Western coordination on global catastrophic risks” by Benjamin Todd

In a nutshell: China will play an especially influential role in how many of the biggest challenges of the next century play out, including global catastrophic biological risks and — especially — developing emerging technologies like AI. But a lack of understanding and coordination between China and the West means we might not tackle those challenges as well as we can (and need to). Therefore, it will be very valuable to have more people specialising in the intersection of China and catastrophic risks and emerging technologies.

Recommended

If you are well suited to this career, it may be the best way for you to have a social impact.

Review status

Based on a medium-depth investigation

Last summer, China unveiled a plan to become the world leader in artificial intelligence, aiming to create a $150 billion industry by 2030.

“We must take initiative to firmly grasp this new stage of development for artificial intelligence and create a new competitive edge,” the country's State Council said. The move symbolised the technological thrust of “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” promoted by President Xi Jinping.

And it's not just AI. China is becoming increasingly important in the solution [...]

Narrated by AI.

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Outline:

(00:46) Recommended

(00:55) Review status

(03:08) Speak with our team

(03:19) Why might becoming a China specialist be high impact?

(06:40) Which topics are most important to understand within effective altruism in China?

(07:32) Chinese culture

(08:54) Knowledge of and connections with effective altruism

(09:58) How many people does the community need?

(10:56) Why we don't want to do 'outreach' in China

(11:41) It's risky

(12:24) It's easy to get wrong

(14:06) It over-simplifies effective altruism - both in China, and in the West

(15:19) Examples of people pursuing this path

(15:25) Jeffrey Ding

(15:49) How can you start a career in this area?

(18:07) Get involved in the effective altruism community

(19:01) Apply to top scholarships

(19:53) Work in another policy or politics position in your home country, focused on Chinese-relevant policy

(20:41) Learn Chinese in China

(25:00) Build a network in China

(26:23) Other prestigious options for talented Chinese citizens

(28:02) Biorisk reduction

(29:56) Nuclear security

(31:07) Factory farming

(33:42) A list of Chinese and Western organisations working on China-related issues in top problem areas

(33:51) Biorisk reduction

(35:43) Nuclear security

(36:54) Factory farming

(39:32) AI safety and strategy

(39:56) How to assess your fit?

(42:02) What about Russia and India?

(43:10) Want one-on-one advice on pursuing this path?

(43:34) Find jobs as a China specialist

(43:45) Learn more

(44:30) Learn about other high-impact careers

The original text contained 14 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.

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First published:
February 28th, 2018

Last updated:
December 15th, 2023

Source:
https://80000hours.org/career-reviews/china-specialist

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.