The Alignment Problem

Machine Learning and Human Values

By: Brian Christian

Narrated by: Brian Christian

A jaw-dropping exploration of everything that goes wrong when we build AI systems and the movement to fix them.

Today’s “machine-learning” systems, trained by data, are so effective that we’ve invited them to see and hear for us - and to make decisions on our behalf. But alarm bells are ringing. Recent years have seen an eruption of concern as the field of machine learning advances. When the systems we attempt to teach will not, in the end, do what we want or what we expect, ethical and potentially existential risks emerge. Researchers call this the alignment problem.

Systems cull résumés until, years later, we discover that they have inherent gender biases. Algorithms decide bail and parole - and appear to assess Black and White defendants differently. We can no longer assume that our mortgage application, or even our medical tests, will be seen by human eyes. And as autonomous vehicles share our streets, we are increasingly putting our lives in their hands.

The mathematical and computational models driving these changes range in complexity from something that can fit on a spreadsheet to a complex system that might credibly be called “artificial intelligence.” They are steadily replacing both human judgment and explicitly programmed software.

In best-selling author Brian Christian’s riveting account, we meet the alignment problem’s “first-responders,” and learn their ambitious plan to solve it before our hands are completely off the wheel. In a masterful blend of history and on-the-ground reporting, Christian traces the explosive growth in the field of machine learning and surveys its current, sprawling frontier. Listeners encounter a discipline finding its legs amid exhilarating and sometimes terrifying progress. Whether they - and we - succeed or fail in solving the alignment problem will be a defining human story.

The Alignment Problem offers an unflinching reckoning with humanity’s biases and blind spots, our own unstated assumptions and often contradictory goals. A dazzlingly interdisciplinary work, it takes a hard look not only at our technology but at our culture - and finds a story by turns harrowing and hopeful.

©2020 Brian Christian (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Hands Down: the Best AI Book

As a tech professional who has made it a point to listen to a number of these AI books on Audible, I recommend this book. It is truly a must-read.
The quality of the book is solid, the scope is complete and the explanations are approachable. What sets this book apart is that this book talks at length about how the folks that are on the cutting edge of AI are attempting to make machines care about what humans care about. This is the "Alignment Problem".

Phenomenal

This is extremely good. If you want to understand the real dangers of AI, read this book. Most of the recent work is either overblown or catastrophizing, but the author here takes a nuanced approach that looks at the actual research and problems arising from trying to implement human values in AI.

Every other sentence is thought provoking and spurred wholly new insights for me. I cannot recommend this one enough.

Enthralling

This was such an incredible portrayal of the advancements in machine learning by tying it to the ways humans learn.
The author, in a very relatable way, ties the development of better learning systems to our collective understanding of how humans grow and learn.
Incredibly fascinating all the way through!

Deep study of how we formulate and reinforce value systems into and through models

Powerful primer into the field that lays out the key terminology and the historical milestones. Essential read for anyone interested in developing a critical perspective on AI ethics.

Excellent and broad introduction

A very good and broad introduction to the various topics and issues surrounding AI and machine learning.