Matt Beard

A 7-step plan to have impact in AI safety – from career advisor Matt Beard

Matt Beard

Former 80,000 Hours advisor Matt outlines a structured, three-month pathway for candidates to enter the rapidly expanding AI safety field by completing foundational reading and executing short-term "cheap tests" to validate their fit. The strategy emphasizes proactive networking as a research project, publishing public work to demonstrate competence, and utilizing targeted fellowship resources to bypass inefficient resume screening processes. Success in this competitive landscape ultimately depends on balancing deliberate practice with psychological resilience to navigate high rejection rates while building a portfolio of tangible contributions.