Like many others have stated, the work BASE is doing is critical; we are unlikely to succeed in creating safe(r) AI if the field remains so demographically concentrated.
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BASE Technical AI Safety Training Initiative
Project summary
BASE Research is seeking funding to provide the technical resources needed to train the next generation of Black AI safety researchers. The project will support 40 participants through hands-on technical AI safety training by providing GPU credits and instructional support, with twenty participants coming from the BASE Fellowship and twenty participating through the BASE Community of Practice's ARENA training program. The goal is to remove the financial barriers that prevent talented individuals from gaining practical experience in AI safety research.
What are this project's goals? How will you achieve them?
The goal of this project is to expand access to technical AI safety training by removing the financial and technical barriers that lock capable, motivated researchers out of hands-on work. BASE focuses on building this capacity within the Black AI safety community, widening the overall talent pipeline into the field. We will achieve this through the ARENA curriculum, delivered in two formats tailored to each group's needs:
Community of Practice track: A 12-week remote, part-time weekend program beginning in mid-July. The ARENA curriculum is broken into structured weekly modules so participants can learn at a manageable pace while balancing work, school, and other responsibilities.
Cohort 2 Fellowship track: A 5-week technical training program beginning in September, completed before fellows begin their mentored research projects, giving them the technical foundation needed to contribute to AI safety, governance, security, and responsible AI research.
Across both tracks, participants will receive GPU credits to complete compute-intensive exercises and will be supported by two teaching assistants who hold office hours, answer technical questions, debug code, and guide participants through the curriculum.
How will this funding be used?
Funding will be used for:
GPU credits for 40 participants: $11,000
Participant stipends: $16,000
Teaching Assistant 1: $7,500
Teaching Assistant 2: $7,500
Program coordination and technical support: $8,000
Total request: $50,000
GPU credits will allow participants to complete compute-intensive exercises throughout the ARENA curriculum, including interpretability, evaluations, oversight, and other technical AI safety work that cannot reasonably be completed on personal computers
GPU credits will allow participants to complete compute-intensive exercises throughout the ARENA curriculum, including interpretability, evaluations, oversight, and other technical AI safety work that cannot reasonably be completed on personal computers.
Who is on your team? What's your track record on similar projects?
Lawrence Wagner is the Executive Director and co-founder of Black in AI Safety and Ethics (BASE) and will lead project execution, coordination, and delivery. He previously served as a Research Manager at Machine Learning Alignment & Transparency and Security (MATS), where he supported AI safety researchers through project planning, research management, mentor coordination, literature scaffolding, and weekly research reviews. He also managed software development projects supporting the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and later raised approximately $1 million to launch cybersecurity workforce development programs. Today, he oversees BASE's fellowship program, which includes 43 fellows, 16 mentors, and 16 research projects.
Robert Amanfu serves as BASE's Technical Director. He is currently a Principal Data Scientist at At-Bay and has previously held machine learning and data science roles at Plaid, Stripe, Fast, and Capital One. He also contributes to AI safety evaluation work through the AI Safety Engineering Taskforce and Terminal Bench. Robert has already trained 8 Community of Practice members through the ARENA curriculum and 20 fellows in Cohort 1, and he will oversee the technical delivery of the program to ensure participants receive the support needed to complete it.
What are the most likely causes and outcomes if this project fails?
The most likely risks are participant attrition, technical challenges, or participants needing more support than anticipated. Because the ARENA curriculum is technically demanding, some participants may struggle with the pace, coding requirements, or compute setup.
BASE will reduce these risks by:
Selecting motivated participants
Breaking the curriculum into manageable sections
Providing regular office hours
Using two teaching assistants to give participants more direct support
If the project is unsuccessful, some participants may not complete the curriculum or may not develop the practical technical skills needed to pursue AI safety research. Even in that case, participants will still gain exposure to core AI safety concepts and be better prepared for future technical training opportunities.
How much money have you raised in the last 12 months, and from where?
Over the past 12 months, BASE has raised approximately $15,000. This includes:
$11,000 through Manifund, including a $10,000 contribution from Ryan Kidd and $1,000 from Jim Chapman
Approximately $4,000 in previous campaign donations
donated $10
donated $25
Leo Hyams
about 16 hours ago
BASE is doing critical work in diversifying AI safety as a highly consequential but highly demographically concentrated field.
donated $50
🥑
christinechitongo
1 day ago
I support this mission and all the opportunities it is creating for Black AI Safety researchers.
donated $1,000
🍉
Amber Ivey
4 days ago
As a BASE advisor, I believe deeply in this mission because expanding the pipeline of Black AI safety researchers strengthens not only the field, but the communities these researchers serve. Diverse perspectives lead to more equitable, trustworthy, and responsible AI. Thank you for all you do to create these opportunities and invest in the next generation.
Lawrence Wagner
11 days ago
We’re two weeks into the current cohort of ARENA. Learners are working through the structured online curriculum at arena.baseresearch.org, and we hold live online pairing sessions on Sundays so participants can work through exercises together and get support in real time.
As we receive funding, we plan to move to a hybrid model for the next cohort, with online access to the curriculum and in-person pairing sessions at FAR Labs on Saturdays and Sundays. The in-person sessions will give learners more time to work together and get direct support, while the online option keeps the program accessible.