The study explores the feasibility of filtering subversion-relevant information from pretraining data for large language models (LLMs). Researchers pretrained multiple 30B LLMs with and without filtering such information, finding that filtered models retain general capabilities but have significantly reduced knowledge about subversion strategies and defenses.
The chart will appear after repeat observations. The current metric comes from the source.
21 source pointsReal observations only. History before source connection is not reconstructed.
This approach could help reduce the risk of misaligned AI models by limiting their knowledge of subversion strategies, but further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness in real-world scenarios.
The article discusses the challenge of defining safety research in AI, noting that capabilities research can also contribute to safety by expanding the Pareto frontier of safety and usefulness. It highlights that while improving safety without reducing usefulness is a key goal, some research may inadvertently encourage developers to prioritize capabilities over safety. The text explores scenarios where capabilities research could enhance safety under specific political conditions, but emphasizes the complexity of distinguishing between safety and capabilities research.
3 days agoLessWrongThe text discusses cultural differences between China and the West, focusing on social media and communication styles. It highlights how Chinese social media is perceived as overwhelming and inauthentic by Western standards, and how these differences may pose challenges for AI safety awareness efforts in China.
3 days agoLessWrongThe text discusses the debate between 'Alignment Engineering' and 'Misalignment Science' in AI alignment research, highlighting concerns that current alignment methods might inadvertently accelerate capabilities development, increasing risks of rapid technological growth. It questions the opportunity costs of focusing on alignment engineering and proposes a shift towards 'Misalignment Science' as a more robust approach.
15 hours agoLessWrongThe text discusses the concept of 'gradual disempowerment' in AI development, questioning whether leading AI labs like Anthropic and OpenAI are accelerating capabilities more than before and whether they are focused on recursive self-improvement. It raises concerns about the potential for AI to lead to 'takeover by default' and the challenges of aligning AI with human values.
5 days agoLessWrongThe text discusses the process of applying to AI safety fellowships and jobs, emphasizing the importance of clearly communicating skills. It highlights the challenges of application processes being noisy and the need to avoid overfitting to the process while showcasing genuine abilities.
2 days agoLessWrongThe Corrigibility Research Fund aims to reward high-quality AI alignment research through retroactive prizes. The fund has awarded $27,000 so far and plans to distribute an additional $48,000, highlighting work from around two dozen researchers across a dozen teams. The fund manager emphasizes that prize sizes are not indicative of work quality and encourages feedback on improving the funding process.
5 days ago