Full-time derg :3

Hi all you fine Patreon Supporter folks,

Happy Spring!

This newsletter is pretty organization-focused.

First off is the big news, I am indeed full-time now for our organization. This has been telegraphed already, but it is indeed official now and it is SO AWESOME TO BE HERE!!!

My to-do list is a mile long with tons of important things to do. Lots of research and helping with projects, no shortage of policy work, and shifting some attention to outreach and fundraising once we're caught up on the basic review projects (integument and head anatomy). I also need to spend some more time planning for an anticipated full-time hire this year (meaning we are likely having 2 full-time workers this year!) Details inside. :3

The second article contains some description about updated rules for our Discord server. While our updates touched on several things, this article in particular is focused on our approach to Artificial Intelligence. There's several things we had to think about in terms of the world we live in today, and in considering how we could mitigate possible harms and risks posed by AI in the spaces we moderate.

I want to emphasize again that I am volunteering this year. We are now to the point where it's not unreasonable to imagine, soon, a small team of full-time people working together, getting results building towards obvious clinical utility. We need to navigate that shift upwards as an organization. Everyone helping us out on Patreon means SO MUCH to all of our volunteers. We are doing everything in our power to create this future. We are genuinely in this together, and on a personal note, seeing the trust you all place in our team gave me the confidence I needed to take my own leap of faith. We can do this. And we WILL do this. For creatures alive.

With love,

Zennith