The Coming AI Billionaire Windfall - And the Nonprofits Racing to Win It

A decade ago, Ryan Carrier watched AI systems spiral out of control - Facebook's algorithms swaying elections, a Microsoft chatbot denying the Holocaust, Tesla's Autopilot causing a fatal crash. Convinced that oversight was nonexistent, he founded ForHumanity to audit AI systems. But the nonprofit has scraped by on hundreds of thousands of dollars since 2016. Now, a potential flood of philanthropy from upcoming AI company IPOs could finally put groups like his on the map.

OpenAI and Anthropic, both valued near a trillion dollars, are expected to go public soon, minting hundreds of new millionaires and billionaires. Many insiders subscribe to effective altruism, a philosophy that prioritizes giving early and aggressively. Anthropic's seven founders have pledged 80% of their wealth, and the company matches employee donations with extra shares. One tech insider estimates Anthropic's IPO alone could unleash $15 billion a year in new charitable giving - enough to boost total U.S. donations by 2.5%, the equivalent of adding four Bill Gateses. But the money isn't guaranteed: delays, poor market performance, or donor indecision could shrink the windfall.

Nonprofits are already jockeying for attention. Jack Lewars, a consultant to the ultrarich, says AI lab employees receive up to 20 unsolicited donation requests each week. Groups like Foresight Institute and AI4ALL are hiring, training, and networking in hopes of landing a piece. Yet some are cautious: Model Evaluation and Threat Research avoids soliciting from the very companies it audits to preserve independence. Others fear the money will concentrate on AI existential risks while neglecting human rights issues. "We have to avoid the allure of easy money," says AI4ALL's CEO. As philanthropic cash pools, salaries are rising - Resolution just got a $160 million grant and plans to pay well above nonprofit norms. The race is on, but no one knows who will actually win.

Source: Wired