

AI Debate Club: Should labs slow down on their own?
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei recently called on AI labs to slow how quickly their models improve. OpenAI's Sam Altman agreed within hours. But with how fast AI is developing, the stakes of one lab slowing down (or not) are higher than ever.
This session's resolution:
Leading AI labs should unilaterally pace the frontier.
For the debate, "pace" will mean slowing how fast AI capabilities improve, without stopping development.
If you want:
to prepare for that upcoming interview
to hold your own in your next coffee chat
an excuse to learn more while you connect with others
Then this is your opportunity.
How this works
Each debate club event is centered on an AI safety topic.
We expect participants to do some research and prepare, at most, a few talking points for both sides.
At the event, you'll be paired with another participant and randomly assigned a position, in favor or in opposition.
Each side makes an opening statement, then a rebuttal answering the other's arguments. Finally, partners exchange feedback.
We'll send out a short reading list before the event.
Who is this for?
People at all levels of AI safety fluency are welcome and there is no debate experience required.
In the spirit of ACX meetups, "Please feel free to come even if you feel awkward about it…"
What's the event format?
Arrive and mingle: 15 minutes
Welcome and format overview: 10 minutes
One-on-one debates:
Prep: 3 minutes
Pro opening: 4 minutes
Con opening: 4 minutes
Pro rebuttal: 4 minutes
Con rebuttal: 4 minutes
Peer feedback: 8 minutes
Either a second debate round or open group discussion: 20 minutes
Group debrief: 15 minutes