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    The Gradient: Perspectives on AI

    The Gradient: Perspectives on AI

    Deeply researched, technical interviews with experts thinking about AI and technology. Hosted, recorded, researched, and produced by Daniel Bashir. thegradientpub.substack.com

    The Gradient: Perspectives on AI

    Thu Jul 25 2024

    Manuel & Lenore Blum: The Conscious Turing Machine

    Theoretical Computer ScienceConsciousnessFree WillPain PerceptionArtificial Intelligence

    The episode features Manuel and Lenore Blum, accomplished theoretical computer scientists with different backgrounds and approaches to their work. They discuss their early struggles, mentors who influenced them, and their research on consciousness. The conversation explores topics like free will, pain perception, and the development of conscious AI models. The episode highlights the importance of interdisciplinary perspectives and responsible development of artificial intelligence.

    The Gradient: Perspectives on AI

    Thu Jul 18 2024

    Kevin Dorst: Against Irrationalist Narratives

    rationalitybelief formationepistemologyBayesianismhuman reasoning

    This podcast explores the rationality of human thinking, challenging prevailing narratives about errors and biases. The speaker discusses Bayesianism, epistemology, and the limitations of formal models. They aim to bridge mathematics with psychology and connect foundational questions to practical applications. The podcast also delves into the complexity of basic human reasoning, the impact of rationality judgments, and the estimation of confidence levels in beliefs. It explores higher order uncertainty, ambiguity in belief formation, and the rationality of AI models.

    The Gradient: Perspectives on AI

    Thu Jul 11 2024

    David Pfau: Manifold Factorization and AI for Science

    Deep LearningComputational PhysicsUnsupervised LearningNeural NetworksData Processing

    This episode explores the scientific applications of deep learning, advancements in data processing and computational physics, interdisciplinary work and spectral inference networks, neural networks in physics and spectral inference networks, self-advocacy and higher dimensions in machine learning, GeoMaster, manifold factorization, and differential geometry, decomposing manifolds and holonomy groups, computational differential geometry and collaboration between fields, data efficiency, embeddings, and topological data analysis, big questions, research strategies, and scaling techniques, adversarial examples, language models, and reinforcement learning, AI and brain functions, reinforcement learning, and language models, evolution of language models and hardware optimization, bridging gaps between fields and balancing personal interests, timing, luck, and seizing opportunities.

    The Gradient: Perspectives on AI

    Thu Jul 04 2024

    Dan Hart and Michelle Michael: Bringing AI to Students in New South Wales

    AI ChatbotsEducationNSW Department of Education

    This episode explores the use of AI chatbots in education, focusing on the NSWE-EDU chat developed by the New South Wales Department of Education. The chatbot is designed to enhance teaching and learning, using Socratic questioning to prompt students for deeper understanding. Teachers play a crucial role in decision-making, and collaboration between data scientists and educators is key. The implementation of the chatbot involves careful planning and governance. The episode highlights the importance of engaging conversations, personalization, and building effective products. It concludes with insights on values and content filtering in AI education.

    The Gradient: Perspectives on AI

    Thu Jun 27 2024

    Kristin Lauter: Private AI, Homomorphic Encryption, and AI for Cryptography

    cryptographydata privacyAIhomomorphic encryptioncryptanalysis

    This episode features Kristen Lauter, a prominent figure in cryptography, discussing her perspective on data privacy, the evolution of privacy perspectives, her journey into cryptography, engaging stakeholders in cryptography, advancements in cryptographic protocols, challenges in cryptographic systems, advancements in homomorphic encryption, AI for crypto and lattice attacks, transformers in cryptanalysis, challenges in AI for cryptography, and the importance of security and responsible AI research.

    The Gradient: Perspectives on AI

    Thu Jun 20 2024

    Sergiy Nesterenko: Automating Circuit Board Design

    Circuit Board DesignPCB DesignQuilterAutomationNeural Networks

    The podcast episode discusses a startup called Quilter that aims to automate circuit board design to accelerate global innovation in electronics. The founder and CEO, Sergey Nastarenko, shares the journey of how Quilter evolved from his experience at SpaceX to its current form. The episode covers various aspects of circuit board design, including exploring different design options, considering functionality and cost effectiveness, and the challenges of incorporating aesthetics. It also delves into the use of neural networks and reinforcement learning in PCB design, the similarities between ML compilers and neural networks, and the importance of gathering real-world data for understanding electromagnetic field fluctuations. The episode concludes with insights on automation in PCB design, the importance of user feedback, and the emotional journey of being a founder.

    The Gradient: Perspectives on AI

    Thu Jun 13 2024

    C. Thi Nguyen: Values, Legibility, and Gamification

    valuesgamesinstitutionsmeasurementdata systems

    This episode explores the influence of games, states, and institutions on personal values. It discusses the challenges of measuring human value and the impact of institutional decisions on data collection. The role of aesthetics, games, and technology in value determination is also examined. The episode highlights the centralization and decentralization of value determination and the importance of individual values and satisfaction. It concludes with a discussion on scalability, aggregability, and context sensitivity in data systems.

    The Gradient: Perspectives on AI

    Thu Jun 06 2024

    Vivek Natarajan: Towards Biomedical AI

    AI in MedicineHealthcare AccessibilityEvaluation MetricsMedical Decision-MakingGenerative AI

    AI systems in medicine have the potential to expand clinical knowledge and democratize medical expertise. However, challenges such as healthcare accessibility, evaluation metrics, and refining AI systems need to be addressed. This podcast explores the advancements, challenges, and future vision of AI in healthcare.

    The Gradient: Perspectives on AI

    Thu May 30 2024

    Thomas Mullaney: A Global History of the Information Age

    knowledgeauthenticityworld-makingwritinghuman temperament

    This episode explores the pursuit of knowledge, authenticity, world-making, evolution in writing, human temperament, clarity in projects, epistemic frames, alternative forms of organization, uncertainty in interpretation, dimensionality in historical writing, authentic connection in writing, editing and exploration, and preparation in writing. The speakers discuss various insights related to these topics and reflect on their personal experiences and perspectives.

    The Gradient: Perspectives on AI

    Thu May 23 2024

    Seth Lazar: Normative Philosophy of Computing

    AI ethicsAI safetyPhilosophy of computingAttention allocationIntuitions in moral philosophy

    This episode explores various topics related to AI ethics, safety, and philosophy. It covers anormative philosophy of computing, attention allocation, intuitions in moral philosophy, metaphysical economy, AI safety efforts, open source AI, cognitive dissonance in big AI companies, ethics and safety in AI development, algorithmic systems and societal impacts, LLMs and feasibility horizons, explainable AI, manipulation, public interest research, collaboration between tech companies and public interest researchers, algorithmic transparency, safe harbor for research, academic ecosystems, interdisciplinary work, conferences, and the importance of public input and expertise.

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