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.