The Effective Altruists Reportedly Have Their Mojo Back Thanks to AI

The Effective Altruism (EA) movement was dealt a crushing blow when its most prominent member, FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried, was convicted of fraud in 2023. This event led many to view EA as a relic of the past, but a recent Financial Times article suggests that the movement is regaining its momentum.

EA adherents are individuals who prioritize maximizing their wealth to donate to causes that can make the most significant positive impact on the world. This can involve saving lives, mitigating pandemics, or ensuring AI is developed safely. The Stanford EA Manifesto has even credited EA with elevating AI safety from a fringe concern to a priority for major research labs.

The connection between AI and EA has strengthened in recent years. Over 60 Anthropic employees, both past and present, have signed the 10% Pledge of the organization Giving What We Can. This pledge entails donating 10% of one's income to charity. Furthermore, Anthropic's seven founders have committed to giving away 80% of their fortunes.

The EA community has seen a surge in funding, with Giving What We Can raising donations from $1.2 billion in 2024 to approximately $2 billion in 2025. CEO Sjir Hoeijmakers acknowledged a setback due to FTX and a decrease in general enthusiasm but reported a full recovery.

Anthropic's ties to EA are particularly noteworthy, as one of its co-founders, Daniela Amodei, is married to Holden Karnofsky, considered a key figure in the effective altruist movement. Analysts predict that Anthropic's anticipated IPO could generate an annual $15 billion increase in donations, contributing to a 2.5% rise in overall U.S. philanthropy.