We are a community of students dedicated to a simple but profound idea: using evidence and reason to figure out how to do the most good, and then acting on it.
A framework for thinking and a community for action, built on two key pillars.
Using evidence and careful reasoning to find the most effective ways to improve the world. We ask: "Of all the possible ways to make a difference, which will do the most good?"
Read the introductory essayA global network of students, professionals, and researchers putting these ideas into practice. Here at IITM, we form a local hub to explore, discuss, and act on these ideas together.
Join our community at IITM"Most of us want to do good. Few of us use evidence and reason to figure out how to do the most good."
Will MacAskill - Co-founder of Effective Altruism
These foundational principles guide our approach to making a difference.
When others are in need and we have the capacity to help, we should. IIT graduates land in the global top percentiles - the leverage you have to help others is extraordinary.
Everyone's well-being matters equally. We believe in expanding our moral circle to care about all people, regardless of where or when they live.
Some ways of doing good are hundreds of times more effective than others. We use evidence and reason to find and act on the very best opportunities to help.
Our time and money are finite. Choosing one career path means not choosing others. We must think carefully to make our limited resources count.
We provide a space for ambitious students to learn, connect, and launch high-impact projects and careers.
Join a small cohort of peers for a guided 8-week program exploring the core ideas of effective altruism and high-impact careers.
Discover how your engineering and CS skills can be applied to the world's most pressing problems - from AI safety to global health policy.
Collaborate on tangible projects - from research to outreach - aimed at creating measurable positive impact within and beyond IITM.
Where IITM students can apply their unique skills and position for maximum impact.
Malaria, neglected tropical diseases, direct cash transfers. The evidence base is strongest here - your donations go 100x further than average. GiveWell estimates a life saved for roughly $5,000 via net distribution.
Ensuring advanced AI systems remain safe and beneficial. CS and engineering students at IITM have direct technical leverage on this problem - one of the highest-priority areas in EA right now.
Reducing the risk of engineered or natural pandemics. A neglected, high-stakes problem with clear career paths for biology, policy, and engineering students alike.
Factory farming affects tens of billions of animals. Corporate campaigns and alternative proteins are among the most cost-effective interventions - and a growing area for technical founders.
In this free, 8-week program, you'll meet like-minded people and explore ways to have more impact with your career and your life. It's the best way to get onboarded into the EA community.
Join thousands of learners across 50+ countries who care deeply about improving the lives of others through evidence-based action.
Learn frameworks to understand the world's most pressing problems and your role in solving them - tailored for students with technical backgrounds.
Benefit from experienced facilitators who guide weekly discussions with a small cohort of 4-8 participants right here at IITM.
Why it's important to think carefully about how you spend your time and money to help others, and why a "scout mindset" is critical to finding the best opportunities.
Some efforts to help can be much more effective than others. We'll share a tool for estimating impact and look into one promising focus area: reducing global poverty.
Should we care about the suffering of non-human animals as well as humans? Alongside this, we'll explain the ideas of expected value and impartial altruism.
Humanity appears to face existential risks: the chance of a catastrophe that destroys our long-run potential. We'll explore the risk from a future pandemic worse than COVID-19.
What would the world look like if we took the interests of our grandkids' grandkids as seriously as our own? This week focuses on longtermism and forecasting tools.
Expert views suggest that transformative AI may be developed this century. How might this change our future, and what are the risks and opportunities for IITM students?
A chance to read and discuss critiques of the ideas introduced so far, and to form your own view on these important and difficult topics.
Concrete ways to apply the principles of effective altruism to your own life, particularly through your career choices as an IIT graduate.
Fill in our interest form and we'll reach out with fellowship dates, upcoming talks, and how to plug in to the IITM chapter.
Opens in Google Forms - takes about 2 minutes