HackerPapers

arXiv:2209.00626cs.AI

The Alignment Problem from a Deep Learning Perspective

Richard Ngo, Lawrence Chan, Sören Mindermann

Abstract

In coming years or decades, artificial general intelligence (AGI) may surpass human capabilities across many critical domains. We argue that, without substantial effort to prevent it, AGIs could learn to pursue goals that are in conflict (i.e. misaligned) with human interests. If trained like today's most capable models, AGIs could learn to act deceptively to receive higher reward, learn misaligned internally-represented goals which generalize beyond their fine-tuning distributions, and pursue those goals using power-seeking strategies. We review emerging evidence for these properties. In this revised paper, we include more direct empirical evidence published as of early 2025. AGIs with these properties would be difficult to align and may appear aligned even when they are not. Finally, we briefly outline how the deployment of misaligned AGIs might irreversibly undermine human control over the world, and we review research directions aimed at preventing this outcome.

arXiv comments
Published in ICLR 2024
Journal reference
DOI
Subjects
cs.AIArtificial Intelligence cs.LGMachine Learning

On Hacker News

Linked by 3 identifiable commenters in 4 comments across 4 threads, from Mar 2023 to Apr 2023. Found in 2 HN submissions from Feb 2023 to Dec 2024. Open submission discussions.

Comments linking this paper, per year.

Discussed in comments4 threads

  1. GitHub Copilot emits GPL code 1 comment
    • It seems to me, from a copyright perspective, all commercial use of generative AI depends on whether the output is transformative fair use (vs derived work). While the courts will have its say, ultimately whether new rules are carved out or not is going to be again (as all…

      lhlView on HNParent context

    • The dangers of AGI I don't think are very related with consciousness or sentience (maybe the saddest outcome if it killed us all and weren't at all). I'm still catching up on my reading, but the existential risk of AGI as I understand it is chiefly that we don't know how to…

      lhlView on HNParent context

    • >We need to solve AGI now? No, we need to solve the problem of AI alignment, regulation, etc now. https://arxiv.org/pdf/2209.00626.pdf

      jlei523View on HNParent context

    • (Added: People really shouldn't flag you for asking a question.) The point is "aligning the AI's goals with human interests", i.e. make the AI non-evil. You're somewhat lucky to never have gone down that particular rabbit hole. Some strange, but also seemingly very intelligent…

      codefloView on HNParent context

Submitted to Hacker News

Connected through shared HN threads, not inferred similarity or a recommendation.