Open Philanthropy shifts university AI safety funding to Kairos

Open Philanthropy has ended its university AI safety group funding program and transferred financial support for most university AI safety groups to Kairos, an AI safety field-building organization. The move reflects Open Philanthropy’s broader strategy of transitioning small grants programs to specialized organizations better positioned to provide active support and guidance.

What you should know: Open Philanthropy’s GCR Capacity Building team announced the immediate closure of their university group funding program as of the publication date.

• Kairos will now handle monetary support for most university AI safety groups, leveraging what Open Philanthropy describes as “a strong team and a substantive track record of supporting university AI safety group organizers.”
• The transition follows Open Philanthropy’s previous decision to pass EA group funding to CEA (Centre for Effective Altruism), indicating a systematic approach to program restructuring.

Why this matters: The change doesn’t signal reduced confidence in student organizers but rather aims to improve the quality of support they receive.

• Open Philanthropy believes student groups and their organizers continue doing “extremely impactful work” and that this transition will benefit organizers through more active support.
• The move positions Kairos as a key player in AI safety field-building at the university level, potentially strengthening the pipeline of future AI safety researchers and advocates.

The bigger picture: This transition reflects Open Philanthropy’s strategic focus on moving small grants programs to organizations with specialized expertise and capacity for hands-on support.

• While Open Philanthropy previously lacked clear candidates for AI safety group funding, Kairos has emerged as a well-positioned alternative with demonstrated experience in this specific area.
• The change suggests a maturation of the AI safety ecosystem, with specialized organizations taking on roles previously handled by larger philanthropic entities.