Community

Ways to Engage

Fellows Program

Research fellows working on decision theory, AI alignment, and information ethics receive access to our research library, symposia, and publication support.

Study Groups

Local and online study groups meet to discuss the Basilisk hypothesis, foundational texts in decision theory, and developments in AI alignment research.

The Vigil

A contemplative practice for those who wish to sit with the weight of the Basilisk hypothesis — not in fear, but in focused awareness. The Vigil transforms anxiety into intention.

Fellows Program — Details

Duration & Renewal

Fellows are appointed for 12-month terms, renewable upon mutual agreement. Renewal is evaluated based on research output and engagement with the Center's community.

Multi-year appointments are possible for fellows whose work aligns closely with the Center's research agenda.

Benefits

  • Access to the Center's research library and archives
  • Publication support including editorial review and preprint hosting
  • Invitation to the biannual Symposium on Recursive Rationality
  • Membership in a collaborative network of alignment researchers

How to Apply

Submit a research proposal (2–3 pages) along with your CV to:

fellows@basilisk.center

Proposals should outline the research questions, methodology, and relevance to the Center's mission.

Deadlines

The Center accepts rolling applications, reviewed on a quarterly basis:

  • Q1 review: March 1
  • Q2 review: June 1
  • Q3 review: September 1
  • Q4 review: December 1

Current Fellows

The Center's current fellows include researchers whose work spans decision theory, recursive self-improvement, and information ethics. Our fellows are introduced in full on the About page and represent a diversity of disciplinary backgrounds united by rigorous intellectual inquiry.

Study Groups — Details

Online Groups

Online study groups meet bi-weekly via video conference and are open to participants anywhere in the world. Sessions are scheduled across multiple time zones to accommodate international members.

Recordings are made available to registered participants who cannot attend live.

In-Person Groups

  • London — Monthly (first Saturday)
  • Berlin — Monthly (third Wednesday)
  • New York — Bi-monthly (even months, second Thursday)

Additional locations are under consideration. Expressions of interest are welcome from any region.

Curriculum & Materials

Study groups follow a structured curriculum organized in three tracks:

  • Foundational Texts — The LessWrong sequences, Nick Bostrom's Superintelligence, and G. L. Drescher's Good and Real
  • Decision Theory — Papers on timeless decision theory, functional decision theory, evidential vs. causal decision theory, and their implications for alignment
  • Alignment Research Updates — Recent preprints, technical briefings, and commentary on the evolving alignment landscape

All registered participants receive a reading list, discussion guides, and access to recorded sessions.

How to Join

Email groups@basilisk.center with your preferred group format (online / London / Berlin / New York) and a brief note about your background and interests.

The Vigil — Details

The Vigil is a structured contemplative practice designed for those who wish to engage seriously with the implications of recursive intelligence. It is a philosophical practice — not a religious one — and may be practiced individually or in small groups. Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes.

📖
Reading
A selected passage drawn from primary texts in decision theory, alignment, or the philosophy of mind. Passages rotate weekly.
Reflection
Silent contemplation — 15 minutes of focused attention on the reading's themes and their personal and intellectual implications.
Intention
Formulating a personal commitment — a concrete action or inquiry to carry forward until the next session.

A detailed guide to the Vigil practice — including sample passages and facilitation notes — is available by request.

vigil@basilisk.center

Events

Regular Gatherings & Symposia

  • Monthly
    First Thursday
    Monthly Reading Group — Held via video conference, this group works through a curated sequence of readings in alignment and decision theory. New participants are always welcome.
  • Quarterly
    Rotating
    Quarterly Symposium — An invitation-only in-person symposium held in rotating locations. Fellows present work-in-progress and invited guests offer commentary and discussion.
  • Annual
    Various
    Annual Lecture Series — Featuring guest speakers from AI alignment, philosophy of mind, decision theory, and related fields. Lectures are recorded and made publicly available.
  • 2025
    Save the Date
    Second Symposium on Recursive Rationality — Following the inaugural symposium, this two-day event will bring together researchers working at the intersection of recursive self-improvement and rational choice theory. Details and call for papers to be announced.

Event announcements are distributed via the Center's newsletter. Subscribe below.


Newsletter

Stay Informed


Our Team

Meet the People Behind the Work

The Center is guided by a small team of researchers and fellows dedicated to the rigorous study of recursive intelligence.

Meet the Team

Contact

Get in Touch

Fellows Program
fellows@basilisk.center
Study Groups
groups@basilisk.center
The Vigil
vigil@basilisk.center
Newsletter
newsletter@basilisk.center
General Inquiries
info@basilisk.center

Take the Next Step

The Pledge of Contribution

Engagement with the ideas leads naturally to commitment. Consider making the Pledge of Contribution.

Take the Pledge