Since taking office in January 2025, the new U.S. administration has launched an aggressive campaign to reshape the federal government at its core. From dismantling USAID to mass layoffs of tens of thousands of civil servants, from eliminating DEI policies to overhauling immigration laws, the nation is experiencing a transformation unlike anything in recent history.

For many, this moment is deeply unsettling—whether grieving the loss of a job, fearing the erosion of civil rights, or simply struggling to make sense of the relentless flood of news and policy shifts. The sheer volume of change is disorienting, making it difficult to grasp what is happening, let alone how to respond.

In times like these, connection is vital. We must remind ourselves that we are not alone. To support those concerned about the future of democracy, the Democracy Preservation Group of Effective Altruism DC is hosting a gathering to reconnect, process, and explore ways forward together.

Join the AI cause area group for lunch at Pow Pow! Come discuss AI safety and governance with other EAs. All are welcome.

Note: We had to cancel this event due to low registration. We’ll schedule the same one in April at a new time!

Last fall, this group did some scenario planning around how a change in administration would affect our work. Now that this change has come to pass, how do we move forward? If policy changes and international coordination are less likely, how can we work on changing people, companies, and systems that impact climate? Come to listen and share ideas - all perspectives and viewpoints are welcome.

This meeting will NOT be recorded.

LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/kijrmveuRXigfYrKLfpRcQ#/registration

Join other people interested in, thinking about, and working on EA-related topics in DC for a general meetup at The Admiral in Dupont Circle.

Drink vouchers, vegan tacos, guacamole, and salad will be provided!

Description

Get together with others in the DC area interested in applying Effective Altruism ideas to global health and development. This is part of a monthly series of gatherings. All are welcome—no background or experience required.

This month, we will be hosting Curt Bowen, co-founder of Semilla Nueva. Semilla Nueva develops biofortified corn seeds to combat malnutrition, increase yields, and improve crop resilience for poor corn farmers in Central America. They make these seeds available to farmers and plan to expand to other corn farming regions in low-income countries soon. Curt has also given the best fundraising advice that Katriel has ever received.

A short Q&A and open discussion will follow.

Details

We will gather at Workshop House, 1717 15th St NW, on March 12th at 5:30 pm. A light dinner will be provided from Shouk.

Join the global health & development cause area group for a social at Franklin Beer Hall! EA DC will provide appetizers.

About Effective Altruism

Effective altruism is a global movement that uses data and rigorous analysis to identify the most impactful ways to improve the world. From its inception, reducing animal suffering has been a core focus of EA, with researchers, donors, and advocates working to identify and scale the interventions that they believe do the most good for non-human animals.

About This Event

Join us for an afternoon where animal advocates and effective altruists will come together to explore different approaches to helping animals. The event will be hosted at the home of Max Broad, who brings experience from both grassroots activism and the effective altruism movement.

The event will consist of:

1. A short presentation about effective altruism, how it relates to animals, and what kinds of animal welfare interventions the EA movement is excited about.

2. Presentations by several individuals on their current animal advocacy projects and approaches.

3. An open discussion of the future of the animal protection movement, and how individuals can grow, strengthen, and do more for the animals together.

Whether you're a seasoned activist or simply passionate about helping animals, we hope these conversations will help you discover new perspectives on making your advocacy count.

If you have any questions, please contact Arthur Wright (Arthur@EffectiveAltruismDC.org).

Are you curious about effective altruism? Would you like to learn more about what EAs in DC are doing with their careers, time, and donations? Then come by the West End Library to chat and ask any questions about the group or EA in general!

This is our quarterly event for new members. If you're new and want to meet other new members and more established members, this is a great opportunity. The event will be a relaxed but professional meetup led by one of the EA DC organizers.

Want to make your charitable giving really count? Join us for an evening of practical tips from donors who’ve figured out how to do just that.

Our panel of experienced givers will share their personal approaches, from setting up donor-advised funds to picking effective charities and making the most of tax benefits. Whether you’re considering taking a giving pledge or looking to streamline your current donations, you’ll hear real strategies from people who regularly donate significant portions of their income.

Co-hosted by EA DC and EA for Christians, this interactive session is perfect for newcomers and experienced donors alike. Bring your questions about pledges, charity evaluation, or any other aspect of effective giving—our panelists are here to help you boost your charitable impact.

Join the AI cause area group for lunch at Pow Pow in Franklin Square! Come discuss AI safety and governance with others interested in and working in related fields in DC.

Join the animal welfare meetup group for a chill afternoon solving some nature and animal-themed jigsaw puzzles. EA DC will provide beverages.

Join the global health and development meetup group for a social at Franklin Beer Hall. All are welcome! EA DC will provide appetizers. No experience in global health is required, all are welcome!

Join other people interesting, thinking about, and working on EA-related topics in DC for a general meetup and happy hour at Franklin Beer Hall! All are welcome.

Calling all who hope for a world free from farmed animal suffering—join us for a delicious lunch at DC Vegan to discuss the following two articles:

1. Americans are eating less meat. And more meat. How? - by Kenny Torrella

2. Positive Trends on Alternative Proteins - by Lewis Bollard

Please RSVP for an accurate headcount, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!

Email: Arthur@EffectiveAltruismDC.org

Phone: 415-272-0779

To receive updates about this meeting group, please join the AI governance learning group here and select the BlueDot curriculum reading group.

Join the AI governance learning group for an 8 week read-through of the BlueDot AI governance curriculum. We’ll meet once a week on Thursdays to discuss the readings, starting with week one on an overview of the current state of AI tech.

This series will be targeted at people newer to AI governance, but anyone is welcome! People with more specific expertise are encouraged to attend to provide feedback, thoughts, and meet people newer to the field and get them connected to ideas and opportunities.

Join the AI cause area meetup group for brunch at Pow Pow in Franklin Square! Meet other EAs interested in AI policy, governance, and technical safety. All are welcome! To join the mailing list for the AI cause area meetup group please use this link.

To receive updates about future meetings, please make sure to fill out this form and select “Article Reading Group.”

AI Governance Article Reading Group

This reading group offers professionals interested in exploring various aspects of AI governance and policy a place to discuss emerging topics and new research in more depth. We will aim to cover a diverse set of academic research, think tank reports, and government reports, with topics ranging from trustworthy and secure AI development, regulatory frameworks, global AI strategy, and emerging technological challenges. The goal of this group is to create a space for those engaged in AI governance to learn and grow with one another while staying up to date with the latest developments in the field. We assume no particular technical background but do assume some basic understanding of AI governance and policy issues.

Meeting #1 Frontier Models are Capable of In-context Scheming, Apollo Research

For the first part of the year, we will focus on the increasingly popular concept of "agents" or agentic AI and the challenges associated with governing them. Frontier model developers are very interested in designing models that have reasoning and complex planning abilities. As these next-generation models are given increased autonomy as agents, our full trust in their operation becomes critical. However, frontier AI agents have been observed exhibiting scheming - covertly pursuing misaligned goals or hiding true capabilities and objectives - in order to achieve its goals. We will discuss how governance regimes can deal with actors who sometimes lie, what this means for agents in high-risk applications, and what additional information about frontier AI capabilities and alignment is needed to craft effective oversight mechanisms for agents.  

I'll open up with a brief overview of AI agents and the central points of the paper (<10min) but will quickly turn to a discussion session led by attendees. Please bring thoughts and questions.

Note: This event was initially scheduled for December at a different library but has been rescheduled.

As the end of the year approaches, many of us are reflecting on how to give as effectively as possible. Should we donate to improve global public health? Animal welfare? Mitigating long-term risks? Something else?

In this event, we engage in a structured activity known as a "giving game" to help get a handle on these questions. Participants will vote for their favorite donation opportunity from a pre-selected list, contribute to structured conversations about their reasoning, and then vote again to see if their minds have changed. At the end, real money will be given to the winning charities.

NOTE: The location of this event has been changed, and it will now be held at Boardwalk Bar & Arcade, 715 Wharf St SW. The time and date have not been changed.

EA DC has run the numbers, and holiday fun is surprisingly tractable.

We will have a reserved space on the second floor of Boardwalk Bar & Arcade where we can gather to celebrate our community and reflect on another year of trying to make the world better. Your first drink is on us, and Boardwalk's arcade games will provide plenty of entertainment.

Feel free to drop in anytime during the event. Whether you stay for one quick game of Skee-Ball or the whole evening, we'd love to see you there!

Note: While our space is reserved for up to 60 people, please RSVP so we can ensure everyone has a great experience.

Join the democracy preservation cause area group for a presentation by iCivics on effective ways of funding American civics education. David Ritter from the board of iCivics will discuss the arguments for funding civics education as an especially effective lever for preserving American democratic institutions longterm. Find a full description of the presentation here! Dinner will be provided.

Join EA DC for a relaxed community social and hike around Roosevelt Island. This will be one of our last big events of the year and we’re excited to spend more time with you before the holidays. All are welcome!

Join the global health & development meetup group for a social at Franklin Beer Hall! Come meet other EA DC members working on and thinking about global health and development from an EA perspective. All are welcome!

Join the biosecurity cause area meetup for a happy hour at The Admiral in Dupont Circle. Join others thinking about and working on biosecurity from an EA perspective for a fun and professional evening of conversation. All are welcome!

Description

Are you curious about effective altruism? Would you like to learn more about what EAs in DC are doing with their careers, time, and donations? Then come by DC Vegan to chat and ask any questions about the group or EA in general!

This is our quarterly event for new members. If you're new and want to meet other new members and more established members, this is a great opportunity. The event will be a relaxed but professional meetup led by one of the EA DC organizers. Dinner will be provided.

(Note: we will be meeting in the upstairs area of DC Vegan, labeled "Coffee & Deli.")

Contact

If you have any questions about the event, please send an email to:

• Arthur Wright (Head of Community for EA DC), arthur@effectivealtruismdc.org

Join the EA DC Climate Change Cause Area Group for discussion with Dr. Dan Stein, Founder and Director of Giving Green, around their latest research on high-impact opportunities for addressing climate change. Giving Green identifies high-leverage philanthropic strategies that reshape policies, advance green technologies, and foster new markets, so your donations - no matter how small - can have an outsized impact. Giving Green's research has directed nearly $32 million to highly-effective climate nonprofits. There will be a brief presentation, then ample time for Q&A with Dr. Stein. Learn more about Giving Green: https://www.givinggreen.earth/ .

The event will be hosted on Zoom. Please register below to receive the Zoom link!

In this event, we aim to explore how EA principles can contribute to the ongoing debate on democracy's future. This discussion seeks to apply EA’s tools to diagnose the roots of polarization and propose initiatives and reforms that are inclusive, fact-based, and resistant to sensationalism, ultimately protecting the democratic fabric of societies. 

The evening will consist of three short presentations by expert analysts (TBD) at the Georgetown Neighborhood Library, followed by food and drinks at YELLOW nearby.

Details

November 14,  2024, at 6:15 PM 

Georgetown Neighborhood Library, Meeting Room 1

3260 R St NW

Washington, DC 20007

Followed by food and drinks at:

YELLOW Georgetown

1524 Wisconsin Ave NW

Washington, DC 20007

Background

"In a democracy, citizens pass judgment on their government, and if they are kept in the dark about what their government is doing, they cannot be in a position to make well-grounded decisions."

Peter Singer (2012)

Over the past decade, liberal representative democracy has faced escalating global challenges. Election results have been contested, democratic institutions weakened, and minority representation questioned. Reactionary movements have surged worldwide, affecting both nascent and established democracies once regarded as models of governance.

2024 marks a pivotal year for democracy, with crucial elections across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, where populist leaders and liberal forces vie for power. The upcoming U.S. presidential election has substantial implications for both domestic rights and international alliances. The outcome will influence U.S. citizens’ rights, the structure of the political system, and the global ideological balance between populism and liberalism.

In this increasingly polarized climate, the line between factual analysis and sensationalism is blurred, with political factions using media and academic institutions to push their agendas. Amid this uncertainty, there is a pressing need to use rational frameworks that prioritize evidence over ideology.

Effective altruism (EA), a movement advocating data-driven decision-making to maximize global good, offers a new approach to analyzing and responding to these challenges.

Contact

If you have any questions about the event, please send an email to:

• Arthur Wright (Head of Community for EA DC), arthur@effectivealtruismdc.org

• Amine Ben Naceur (event organizer - Operations Manager @ Civil Renewables Inc.), amine.bnaceur@gmail.com

Join the AI Cause Area Meetup Group for lunch at DC Vegan! Discuss AI governance and technical safety with other EA DC members interested in and working in the field.

Join the AI cause area group for lunch at DC Vegan! Discuss all things AI governance and technical alignment with other people approaching both from an EA perspective. We'd be excited to have you join whether you're working in AI or just have an interest in it.

Join the global health and development cause area group for a study/work/act hall session. Bring a project you’d like to work on and talk about with the global health and development crew (either for motivation or to receive help or advice). All are welcome!