I’d like to constructively push back on this: The research and open-source communities outside AI Safety that I’m embedded in are arguably just as, if not more hands-on, since their attitude towards deployment is usually more … unrestricted.
I think we agree: I’m describing a possible future for AI safety, not making the claim that it’s anything like this now.
I was a climate activist organising FridaysForFuture (FFF) protests, and I don’t recall this was ever the prevailing perception/attitude.
Not sure what you mean by this but in some AI safety spaces ML capabilities researchers are seen as opponents. I think the relevant analogy here would be, e.g. an oil executive who’s interested in learning more about how to reduce the emissions their company produces, who I expect would get a pretty cold reception.
Re “alienation”, I’m also thinking of stuff like the climate activists who are blocking highways, blocking offices, etc.
I’m also fairly certain the environmentalist was a counterfactual net positive, with Will Macaskill himself commenting on the role of climate advocacy in funding solar energy research and accelerating climate commitments in What We Owe The Future. However, I will admit that the anti-nuclear stance was exactly as dumb as you’ve implied, and it embarrasses me how many activists expressed it.
Makes sense! Yeah, I agree that a lot has been done to accelerate research into renewables; I just feel less confident than you about how this balances out compared with nuclear.
Personally, I draw a meaningful distinction between being anti-AI capabilities and pro-AI Safety.
I like this distinction, feels like a useful one. Thanks for the comment!
I think we agree: I’m describing a possible future for AI safety, not making the claim that it’s anything like this now.
Not sure what you mean by this but in some AI safety spaces ML capabilities researchers are seen as opponents. I think the relevant analogy here would be, e.g. an oil executive who’s interested in learning more about how to reduce the emissions their company produces, who I expect would get a pretty cold reception.
Re “alienation”, I’m also thinking of stuff like the climate activists who are blocking highways, blocking offices, etc.
Makes sense! Yeah, I agree that a lot has been done to accelerate research into renewables; I just feel less confident than you about how this balances out compared with nuclear.
I like this distinction, feels like a useful one. Thanks for the comment!