Benjamin Todd

Benjamin Todd is the CEO and co-founder of 80,000 Hours, a non-profit organization that provides research and advice to help people find careers that effectively tackle the world's most pressing problems.13

Background and Education

Benjamin Todd holds a Master's degree in Physics and Philosophy from Oxford University.1 He speaks Chinese, though he admits to doing so "badly".1

Career and Achievements

Todd grew 80,000 Hours from a student society at Oxford to a significant non-profit organization. Under his leadership, the organization has:

• Raised $1.3 million in donations
• Attracted 100,000 monthly readers to their content1

Before founding 80,000 Hours, Todd was the first undergraduate to intern as an analyst at a top investment fund.2

80,000 Hours

The organization Todd co-founded, 80,000 Hours, is named after the approximate number of hours in a typical career. It aims to help individuals make impactful career choices by:

1. Providing research on what makes a fulfilling career
2. Exploring effective ways to make a difference beyond traditional charity work
3. Comparing global problems in terms of scale and urgency
4. Offering tools for personal strength discovery and development1

Other Interests and Activities

Outside of his work with 80,000 Hours, Todd:

• Writes about life during transformative AI, doing good, and other topics on Substack
• Has given a TEDx talk on finding work you love
• Practices meditation and attends annual retreats
• Engages in various fitness activities, including qigong and acroyoga
• Has traveled extensively, including overland from Tokyo to Singapore3

Todd is known for his evidence-based approach to career advice and his commitment to effective altruism principles.13