Call me Oliver or Oly—I don’t mind which.
I’m particularly interested in sustainable collaboration and the long-term future of value. I’d love to contribute to a safer and more prosperous future with AI! Always interested in discussions about axiology, x-risks, s-risks.
I’m currently (2022) embarking on a PhD in AI in Oxford, and also spend time in (or in easy reach of) London. Until recently I was working as a senior data scientist and software engineer, and doing occasional AI alignment research with SERI.
I enjoy meeting new perspectives and growing my understanding of the world and the people in it. I also love to read—let me know your suggestions! In no particular order, here are some I’ve enjoyed recently
Ord—The Precipice
Pearl—The Book of Why
Bostrom—Superintelligence
McCall Smith—The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency (and series)
Melville—Moby-Dick
Abelson & Sussman—Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
Stross—Accelerando
Graeme—The Rosie Project (and trilogy)
Cooperative gaming is a relatively recent but fruitful interest for me. Here are some of my favourites
Hanabi (can’t recommend enough; try it out!)
Pandemic (ironic at time of writing...)
Dungeons and Dragons (I DM a bit and it keeps me on my creative toes)
Overcooked (my partner and I enjoy the foody themes and frantic realtime coordination playing this)
People who’ve got to know me only recently are sometimes surprised to learn that I’m a pretty handy trumpeter and hornist.
Sure, take it or leave it! I think for the field-building benefits it can look more obviously like an externality (though I-the-fundraiser would in fact be pleased and not indifferent, presumably!), but the epistemic benefits could easily accrue mainly to me-the-fundraiser (of course they could also benefit other parties).