The Alignment Problem: Machine Learning and Human Values

Brian Christian is an American author whose non-fiction work focuses on the intersection of computer science, artificial intelligence, and human life. He holds degrees in computer science, philosophy, and poetry from Brown University and the University of Washington. His interdisciplinary educational background informs his choices of topics, allowing him to write for a wide audience. Among his books are The Most Human Human (2011), which was named a Wall Street Journal bestseller, and Algorithms to Live By (2016), written in collaboration with Tom Griffiths, a cognitive scientist at Princeton University.

Christian’s writings address the philosophical dilemmas posed by advancing technologies, especially artificial intelligence. The Alignment Problem (2020) tackles one of the most critical challenges in AI today: how to ensure that machines’ goals align with human values. Brian Christian’s extensive research in both the technical aspects of AI and the philosophical, sociological, and ethical questions surrounding technology’s role in society positions him as one of the most engaged thinkers and authors in contemporary discussions about AI ethics.

The Alignment Problem builds on Christian’s interviews with numerous experts in different fields contributing to AI, from computer scientists to ethicists, which provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of AI technology, its future implications, and the need for