We propose a survey of AI researchers to better understand how to steer AI development in ways that account for animal welfare. The project consists of a survey and an optional targeted research sprint:
Animal-Welfare-Focused AI Survey – investigating which tools, resources, or interventions AI researchers consider most effective for ensuring that animal welfare is appropriately included within the moral scope of AI systems.
The theory of change for this survey centers on addressing a critical gap in AI development: ensuring that advanced AI systems include animal welfare within their moral consideration. Given that AI systems will increasingly make decisions affecting animals (from agricultural automation to wildlife management), embedding animal welfare considerations now could prevent massive future suffering that may be difficult to correct once these systems are deployed at scale. By surveying AI researchers about the most effective tools and interventions for incorporating animal welfare into AI alignment, the project aims to identify concrete leverage points where targeted resources could shift development practices. This is the first in a pathway to impact, including: understanding what AI developers themselves believe would help them build more animal-welfare-conscious systems → developing and deploying those specific resources → influencing the alignment process during this crucial early stage of AI development → preventing future AI systems from systematically disregarding or harming many animals.
Targeted Research Sprint (optional, ~$15k) – A short, focused project synthesizing existing literature, stakeholder views, and conceptual frameworks on animal-welfare-focused AI alignment. This sprint could provide critical background, highlight knowledge gaps, and frame directions for future empirical and strategic work.
By systematically capturing AI researcher perspectives, this project will surface leverage points and inform strategies for funders, researchers, and advocates. Results will be delivered by December 2025.
Budget
Survey: $15,000
With targeted research sprint: $30,000
Generate actionable insights into how AI researchers think about animal welfare in AI alignment.
Identify gaps where additional resources or interventions could make AI development more animal-welfare-friendly.
Provide the EA community and funders with robust, empirical evidence to help inform and guide effective interventions.
Survey design: Develop the AI researcher survey, with expert input from animal welfare and AI alignment researchers.
Recruitment: Use and RP’s professional networks to recruit a diverse set of at least tens of AI researchers.
Analysis: Apply quantitative and qualitative methods to extract key insights, patterns, and divergences.
Dissemination: Publish results in a report, potentially accompanied by summary briefings for funders and targeted stakeholders.
Base Budget ($15,000 – survey)
Survey recruitment and participant compensation – $5,000
Staff time for survey design, analysis, and reporting – $7,500
Communications, dissemination, and overhead – $2,500
Extended Budget ($30,000 – survey + desk research sprint)
Everything above, plus a $15,000 targeted desk research sprint on animal-welfare-focused AI alignment.
This sprint would synthesize existing literature, stakeholder perspectives, and conceptual frameworks, providing critical context and helping maximize the value of the survey results.
Aspirational Budget ($50,000 – larger sample + deeper work)
All of the above, plus additional resources to:
Recruit larger, more representative practitioner samples for the survey.
Conduct more in-depth analysis of subgroup differences and cross-cutting themes.
Carry out expanded preparatory and follow-up work, ensuring the results are well-framed, disseminated effectively, and maximally useful to funders and stakeholders.
This project will be jointly led by three groups at Rethink Priorities (RP):
Worldview Investigations Team (WIT) – expertise in cause prioritization, philosophy and digital sentience.
Survey & Data Analysis Team – extensive experience designing and implementing large-scale surveys across specialized populations.
Animal Welfare Department (AW) – subject-matter expertise on animal welfare research, strategy, and how AI may impact animal welfare.
Together, these teams combine technical rigor in survey design with domain knowledge in animal welfare and AI strategy.
Track record:
The Surveys & Data Analysis team has, in the last 3 years (with 1.3-2.8 FTE), conducted approx. 70 major projects (e.g., projects including at least one full report) and 58 minor projects (e.g., smaller consultations).
The Worldview Investigations Team spearheaded the Moral Weight Project, to help develop a tractable, evidence-informed model for comparing welfare across different species. They have also outlined a research agenda for digital minds and are currently finalizing work on a digital consciousness model with renowned experts from NYU and other institutions.
The AW Department’s work on shrimp welfare has informed campaigns, contributed to legislative discussions, and shaped advocacy strategies globally. See more here.
At a broader level, Rethink Priorities has influenced funder priorities and reallocation decisions, integrating research into strategic grantmaking in areas like animal welfare and AI governance. See, for instance, some of our 2021 impact, 2022 impact, 2023 impact, or 2024 impact.
This combined track record demonstrates RP’s ability to deliver high-quality, decision-relevant research at scale.
Low practitioner engagement → mitigated through robust recruitment methods and compensation.
Poor survey framing → mitigated by piloting questions and incorporating expert review.
Limited stakeholder uptake → mitigated by engaging funders and practitioners early in shaping the surveys.
If the project fails despite mitigation efforts, the primary outcome would be reduced near-term clarity on intervention strategies in this space. The long-term outcome would be delayed, but not lost progress, as insights could be made by subsequent projects.
Over the last 12 months, Rethink Priorities has raised several million $ in funding.
Major supporters include:
Open Philanthropy – multi-year support for some teams (e.g., GHD team for up to $1.5M over 3 years)
EA Funds and other donor-advised funds – support across animal welfare and surveys (this is several hundred thousand dollars earmarked for specific projects).
Individual major donors – providing both restricted and some unrestricted support (this is a further several hundred thousand dollars in funding).
This track record demonstrates RP's proven ability to secure funding and successfully execute grant-funded projects. However, it's important to note that Rethink Priorities manages funding across multiple research areas, and the availability of funds for these specific projects remains uncertain. This uncertainty stems from several factors: our broader fundraising efforts are still ongoing, we have other priority work to advance, many of our grants come with specific restrictions, and our unrestricted funding is limited.