Rise of the AI-ristocracy
Well before he became CEO of one of the most valuable startups of all time, Dario Amodei was a 26-year-old PhD student studying biophysics at Princeton, obsessing over how his money would leave its mark on the world. On what one might assume was likely a fairly modest academic stipend and with no discernible inheritance […]
The AI boom has triggered a new era of philanthropy, with a wave of Silicon Valley millionaires and billionaires planning to donate their immense wealth to causes associated with effective altruism. These include animal welfare and AI safety, and the total amount of philanthropic giving could exceed $100 billion per year. Dario Amodei, an AI entrepreneur and former Princeton PhD student, exemplifies this trend with his early, measured approach to charitable giving.
Despite initial reservations, Amodei ultimately donated his entire $10,000 in 2009 to VillageReach, an organization that saves the lives of babies and children in Africa. Amodei believed that saving lives of children was more important than saving those of adults, as they have "deeper and more meaningful experiences" and more life left to live.
This utilitarian approach to philanthropy is shaping the future of American giving, with AI billionaires prioritizing measurable outcomes and cost-effectiveness over traditional philanthropic pursuits.
Written by urgent.news from Vox's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
