Policy Advisor

Machine Intelligence Research Institute • Washington, DC

3d • $120,000 - $300,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Machine Intelligence Research Institute (MIRI) is a nonprofit organization focused on reducing existential risks from advanced AI. MIRI has recently shifted its focus towards communication and AI governance. The Technical Governance Team researches and designs technical aspects of regulations and policy for safe AI development. This involves creating policies to decrease the probability of unsafe AI, contributing to regulations and policy bodies, researching international coordination mechanisms, and consulting with policymakers. The Policy Advisor role offers the opportunity to engage in all these areas, primarily through collaboration with external stakeholders and policymakers, supported by research and writing. Specific tasks include briefing government offices on AI risk and policy, refining policy ideas, networking within the AI policy community, providing feedback on legislation, and conducting comprehensive AI policy research.

Requirements

• Strong background in government or a proven track record at advocating for policy changes.
• Familiarity with MIRI’s worldview as described in If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies.
• Agency: ability to get things done without constant supervision, notice problems and fix them, focus on solving problems, know when to defer or ask for guidance, be an active team member.
• Conscientiousness: diligence, hard work, reliability, dependability, desire to do tasks well and effectively, attention to detail, organization, ability to manage many small tasks and projects.
• Comfort learning on the job: ability to quickly acquire new skills and knowledge, comfort working on underspecified tasks where part of the job is to develop research questions.
• Generative thinking: enjoyment in coming up with and iterating on new ideas, ability to generate original work and extend others' thoughts, willingness to suggest ideas and point out flaws.
• Communication (Internal): team player, willingness to work together, attend weekly meetings, proactively keep teammates/manager informed about project status, communicate when falling behind or needing information, voice confusions.
• Communication (External): ability to communicate effectively to external stakeholders with varying technical expertise, including policymakers, ability to produce concise, clear, and compelling writing, ability to deliver presentations on the team's research and ideas.
• Broad alignment with MIRI's values and willingness to work toward MIRI’s goals and the Technical Governance Team’s research directions.
• Passion for MIRI’s mission and excitement to support work in reducing existential risks from AI.

Nice To Haves

• Previous engagement with AI safety is not required, but familiarity with MIRI's worldview is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Brief government offices on topics related to AI risk and AI policy, representing MIRI's focus.
• Take existing policy ideas from MIRI and others and identify implementation details to make these plans more concrete.
• Network in the AI policy community and broader space.
• Provide feedback on draft legislation.
• Identify gaps in existing policy proposals based on other MIRI research and develop the relevant policies from broad idea to draft legislation.

Benefits

• Health insurance (Kaiser and Blue Shield)
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• "No vacation policy" – staff are encouraged to take vacation when they want/need to in coordination with their manager.
• Potential visa sponsorship for promising candidates.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed