Solving factory farming is different from other near term causes. It's not like EA focused animal charities are saving animals 1 by 1 by buying them off a farm where it won't make any future impact. It's about making systematic changes that will impact not just the lives of animals today but the lives of animals for future generations to come. I fear that if AGI is developed while the practice of factory farming still exists there could be a high probability that it perpetuates the problem not solve it. We need to eliminate factory farming as soon as possible.
Effective Altruism will need a rebranding. I anticipate it will be challenging to discuss the topic without SBF/FTX coming up and I'm afraid it will discourage new participants.