Partner with Us: Advancing Global Catastrophic and AI Risk Research at Plateau State University,Bokkos

This is a crosspost from the new Animal Welfare Alignment Newsletter by Anima International. You can subscribe on Substack if you are interested in following these efforts. Audio reading also available on Substack. The goals of this post are to: 1. Raise a question I see as crucially important to the goal of aligning AI to animal welfare...

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Recent opportunities to take action

TL;DR

Plateau State University, Bokkos, is looking to partner with institutions and researchers focused on Global Catastrophic Risk and AI Risk. As the Director of Research, I am eager to collaborate on projects addressing pandemic preparedness, biosecurity, AI safety, and other existential risks. Our goal is to enhance our research impact and contribute to global solutions. If you're interested in partnering, please reach out to discuss collaboration opportunities.

Rationale

At Plateau State University, I aim to build strategic partnerships to tackle critical challenges such as Global Catastrophic Risk (GCR) and AI Risk. These risks, including pandemics, climate change, and technological disruptions, threaten humanity's future, while the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence presents new, unpredictable challenges that demand urgent attention. Collaborating with like-minded institutions will help us deepen our understanding of these risks and develop effective solutions for future generations.

Why These Fields?

Global catastrophic risks—ranging from pandemics and climate disasters to advanced technological threats—can disrupt civilization significantly. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the necessity for strong preparedness and global cooperation. Concurrently, the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence offers vast opportunities but also poses serious risks, particularly with unaligned or unsafe AI systems. Addressing these complex issues calls for interdisciplinary collaboration and a united global effort.

Our Vision

Plateau State University is committed to playing a vital role in this global dialogue. We aim to conduct impactful research that informs policy, enhances preparedness, and mitigates existential risks. We believe that collaboration with like-minded researchers, universities, and organizations is essential in tackling these global challenges.

We are particularly interested in research in the following areas:

Global Catastrophic Risk: Pandemic preparedness, biosecurity, climate change mitigation, nuclear risks, and other existential threats.

AI Risk: Safe AI development, alignment issues, AI governance, and policy frameworks to address risks associated with advanced AI systems.

Call for Partnerships

I invite institutions and researchers in the EA community working in these fields to explore partnership opportunities with us. Our aim is to establish long-term, mutually beneficial collaborations that enhance our involvement in these critical areas and contribute to global efforts in addressing existential risks. If you or your institution is interested, we would love to hear from you.

At Plateau State University, we offer a unique perspective and dedication to impactful research, especially in regions where these risks intersect with resource limitations and developmental challenges. Together, we can amplify our impact and bring diverse viewpoints to the conversation, contributing to a safer future for all.

Next Steps

If you're interested in exploring collaboration, I invite you to reach out directly via DM or email at [email protected]. I would be delighted to discuss potential areas for partnership, exchange ideas, and explore how we can build a meaningful and sustainable collaboration. Whether it's through joint research projects, a visit to our institution, or other forms of engagement, I’m eager to explore opportunities that can amplify our collective impact.

Let’s unite to expand research frontiers and address these global challenges.

Warm regards,
Nnaemeka Emmanuel Nnadi
Director of Research, Plateau State University, Bokkos