AI Offense-Defense Dynamics Lead Researcher

📋 Description

• • As artificial intelligence capabilities continue their rapid ascent, humanity faces a critical knowledge deficit: a profound lack of understanding regarding the intricate dynamics that dictate whether AI systems, or even specific AI functionalities, predominantly serve to protect or endanger society. This pivotal role of AI Offense-Defense Dynamics Lead Researcher is designed to address this gap head-on. You will spearhead groundbreaking research aimed at decoding these complex offense-defense dynamics. This involves meticulously examining how distinct attributes inherent to AI technologies influence their propensity to either bolster societal safety or exacerbate existing risks.
• • Your work will employ rigorous interdisciplinary methodologies to construct sophisticated quantitative and qualitative frameworks. These frameworks will be instrumental in analyzing the proliferation of AI capabilities throughout society, discerning whether they manifest as protective applications or harmful ones. The ultimate goal is to generate actionable insights that can empower developers, evaluators, standards bodies, and policymakers to proactively anticipate and effectively mitigate AI-related risks.
• • This position presents an unparalleled opportunity to significantly influence how society evaluates and governs increasingly powerful AI systems. Your contributions will have a direct and tangible impact on global endeavors to maximize the immense benefits of AI while simultaneously minimizing its inherent risks. The Center for AI Risk Management & Alignment (CARMA) is at the forefront of navigating the complex and potentially catastrophic risks associated with advanced AI, and this role is central to our mission.
• • Responsibilities will encompass the development of sophisticated quantitative system dynamics models. These models will capture the intricate interrelationships between technological advancements, societal influences, and institutional frameworks that collectively shape the AI risk landscape. You will be tasked with designing detailed analytical models and simulations to pinpoint critical leverage points. These are areas where strategic policy interventions can effectively shift the offense-defense balance towards more secure and beneficial outcomes for society.
• • A key aspect of this role involves expanding and operationalizing CARMA's existing offense-defense dynamics taxonomy and nascent framework. This includes developing robust metrics and predictive models to forecast whether specific AI system features are more likely to favor offensive or defensive applications. You will build empirically-informed analytical frameworks by drawing upon documented instances of both AI misuse and beneficial deployed uses, using these real-world cases to validate theoretical models and refine our understanding.
• • You will conduct in-depth research into how specific technical characteristics of AI—such as the breadth and depth of capabilities, accessibility, adaptability, and ease of modification—interact with complex sociotechnical contexts. This analysis will be crucial for determining the prevailing offense-defense balance for various AI systems.
• • A significant part of your role will involve building broader public understanding of these critical offense-defense dynamics. This will be achieved through engaging content such as blog posts, insightful articles, presentations at conferences, and active participation in media discussions. Your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively to diverse audiences will be paramount.
• • You will be responsible for creating practical tools and methodologies that can be used to assess newly released AI models. The aim is to evaluate their likely offense-defense implications before they are widely deployed, allowing for early risk identification and management.
• • Furthermore, you will draft evidence-based guidance for AI governance. This guidance will need to thoughtfully account for the complex interdependencies between evolving technological capabilities and the specific contexts in which AI is deployed.
• • Ultimately, your research findings will be translated into actionable guidance tailored for key stakeholders. This includes policymakers shaping regulations, AI developers building future systems, security professionals safeguarding against misuse, and standards organizations setting benchmarks for responsible AI development and deployment.
• • This position is 100% remote, offering global flexibility, but requires occasional travel for collaborative meetings and conferences. CARMA is dedicated to lowering the risks to humanity and the biosphere from transformative AI, focusing on rigorous analysis, policy frameworks for AGI, technical safety, and fostering global cooperation.