Love this question! I too would identify as a hopelessly pure mathematician (I’m currently working on a master’s thesis in category theory), and I too spent some time trying to relate my academic interests to AI safety. I didn’t have much success; in particular, nothing ML-related ever appealed. I hope it works out better for you!
Love this question! I too would identify as a hopelessly pure mathematician (I’m currently working on a master’s thesis in category theory), and I too spent some time trying to relate my academic interests to AI safety. I didn’t have much success; in particular, nothing ML-related ever appealed. I hope it works out better for you!
You might be interested in this paper on ‘Backprop as Functor’.
(I’m personally not compelled by the safety case for such work, but YMMV, and I think I know at least a few people who are more optimistic.)