Philosopher Seth Lazar Defends EA, Calls CAIS Attack Gross: "They've Been Right About AI"
sethlazar · x · 2026-09-17
Philosopher Seth Lazar publicly criticized the Center for AI Safety's campaign against effective altruism as "gross," while offering a notably positive reassessment of EA. Despite disagreeing with EA philosophically since 2008, he argues it has become more heterogeneous, institutionally aware, and open, and that EAs have "basically been right about AI," showing more integrity and evidence-responsiveness than many critics.
He still rejects extinction-focus as "moral shorthand" and longtermism as an ethical view, arguing philanthropy should also weigh reciprocity and giving back to communities. Overall, he says learning someone is an EA now leads him to positively update towards them, crediting EA with invaluable contributions to navigating the AI transition.
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