When the OpenAI board orchestrated a sudden rebellion last November, ousting the company’s leadership only to witness their return while board members faced pressure to resign, it raised concerns within the realm of effective altruism. Ostensibly, OpenAI’s objective was to promote AI [Fiduciarily], aiming to benefit a specific segment of humanity associated with OpenAI.
Amidst this turmoil, Sam Bankman-Fried, an altruist with a controversial past, defended his crypto exchange in court last autumn as a means of earning-to-give—generating substantial profits to support the underprivileged. However, the jury’s verdict found him guilty on seven counts of fraudulent activities. Presently, he is confronting a potential prison sentence.
While the reputation of both OpenAI and SBF tarnished the effective altruism ethos, the fundamental question of how to best assist others continues to linger. Should the focus be on alleviating hunger, envisioning AI-related catastrophes, or even contemplating Mars colonization?
In a recent WIRED article, philosopher Leif Wenar describes EA as a []. Silicon Valley’s ubiquitous preachers often expound on this topic, with notable works like Strangers Drowning shedding light on altruism and its complexities. However, it was during a conversation with Elie Hassenfeld, the CEO of GiveWell, a charity evaluator closely associated with Silicon Valley philanthropists, that the realization dawned that EA can transcend mere ideology or discourse—it can manifest as a practical checklist.
Hassenfeld’s approach to the question “How to be good?” is remarkably precise, albeit utilitarian and somewhat mundane. His recommendation is straightforward: donate to , , , and . These charities are endorsed by GiveWell for their impact in combating malaria, preventing childhood blindness and mortality, and facilitating child vaccinations. The assurance behind GiveWell’s selections stems from meticulous research, with transparency exemplified through their “Our Mistakes” section, showcasing a commendable commitment to candid data collection.
Co-founded by Hassenfeld and former hedge fund manager Holden Karnofsky in 2007, GiveWell emerged as a beacon within the evidence-based charity community even before the inception of the effective altruism movement. Over time, GiveWell’s mission converged with the broader EA framework, encompassing initiatives like Giving What We Can and the Machine Intelligence Research Institute.
Unlike avant-garde organizations such as MIRI, known for high-profile gatherings where visionaries shape the future akin to the Massachusetts Bay Colony’s influence on the New World in 1630, GiveWell epitomizes practicality. Its primary function is to facilitate the flow of funds from donors to life-saving charities. Initially handling around \(1.5 million in its early years, GiveWell’s impact surged significantly, with approximately \)600 million managed in 2022, reflecting its substantial growth.
In a candid discussion with Hassenfeld in a well-lit conference room in Oakland, California, topics ranged from addressing corruption within EA to the limitations of narrative storytelling and the ethical considerations surrounding saving lives. Throughout the conversation, Hassenfeld’s impatience with theoretical conjectures was evident, contrasting with his unwavering proficiency in numerical analyses—a hallmark of GiveWell’s approach.
The absence of heartwarming anecdotes or visual representations of aid recipients within GiveWell’s workspace is intentional. Hassenfeld emphasized the importance of accurate communication, underscoring the organization’s commitment to data-driven assessments over emotive narratives. He cited the cautionary tale of the PlayPump, a failed water-pumping initiative, to illustrate the pitfalls of relying solely on imagery to convey impact.
Despite the ongoing debates about EA’s integrity, GiveWell remains steadfast in its mission to recommend charities that offer the most impactful interventions. The core focus remains on saving the lives of vulnerable children at risk of preventable diseases, resonating with Hassenfeld’s personal motivation rooted in a sense of equity and compassion for those in need.
In navigating the complexities of donor engagement, GiveWell serves as a beacon of trust for affluent contributors seeking assurance that their donations translate into tangible outcomes. By offering transparency and rigorous cost-effectiveness assessments, GiveWell instills confidence in donors, guiding them towards impactful philanthropic decisions.
The conversation delved into the broader ethical implications of aid distribution, touching on the challenges of balancing efficacy with humility in the face of complex societal issues. Hassenfeld’s emphasis on targeted interventions that yield significant life-saving results underscored GiveWell’s commitment to pragmatic solutions over grandiose gestures.
As the dialogue unfolded, the narrative shifted towards the evolving landscape of effective altruism, juxtaposing traditional health-focused initiatives with emergent concerns surrounding artificial intelligence. While some EAs gravitate towards existential AI-related dilemmas, Hassenfeld’s unwavering focus remains on alleviating immediate suffering, reflecting a pragmatic approach to impact-driven philanthropy.
Reflecting on his transition from a for-profit investment background at Bridgewater to co-founding the nonprofit GiveWell, Hassenfeld highlighted the pivotal shift towards philanthropy driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference. His journey from financial markets to humanitarian pursuits underscored a personal commitment to addressing pressing global challenges, such as access to clean water and combating preventable diseases.
In addressing the complexities of implementing clean water projects, Hassenfeld acknowledged the inherent challenges in delivering sustainable solutions to communities in need. Despite the setbacks and complexities involved, GiveWell’s strategic allocation of resources towards impactful initiatives reflects a pragmatic approach to maximizing life-saving interventions.
The conversation also touched upon donor perceptions and expectations, with Hassenfeld emphasizing the importance of transparency and evidence-based decision-making in philanthropy. By elucidating the rationale behind cost-effectiveness estimates and acknowledging the uncertainties inherent in charitable interventions, GiveWell empowers donors to make informed choices that align with their values and desired impact.
In navigating the delicate balance between intervention efficacy and cultural sensitivity, Hassenfeld underscored the importance of humility and adaptability in philanthropic endeavors. By focusing on targeted, evidence-based interventions that deliver tangible outcomes, GiveWell aims to circumvent potential pitfalls associated with imposing external solutions on complex social issues.
The dialogue culminated in a poignant reflection on the moral imperative of alleviating individual suffering while acknowledging the interconnected web of compassion that binds humanity. Hassenfeld’s emphasis on specific, impactful interventions underscored GiveWell’s commitment to saving lives through practical, data-driven approaches, resonating with a core ethos of effective altruism.
In a landscape rife with grandiose gestures and ideological debates, GiveWell stands as a beacon of pragmatism and impact-driven philanthropy, guided by a steadfast commitment to saving lives through evidence-based interventions and transparent decision-making.