Researcher in AI safety and machine ethics at the Future of Humanity Institute, Oxford University.
As artificial intelligence systems grow more capable, the question of how to ensure they pursue goals aligned with human values becomes increasingly urgent. The alignment problem may be the defining technical and philosophical challenge of the coming century.
After decades of theoretical promise and incremental progress, quantum computing is approaching a critical threshold. The first practical quantum advantage over classical computers is within reach, with profound implications for cryptography, drug discovery, and materials science.
Large language models can write poetry, pass bar exams, and explain quantum mechanics. But do they actually understand what they are saying? A growing body of research suggests that LLMs are extraordinarily sophisticated pattern matchers — but that genuine reasoning may require something fundamentally different.
Neuralink's first human implant, BrainGate's communication systems for paralyzed patients, and non-invasive EEG-based interfaces are converging on a future in which the boundary between human cognition and digital computation becomes increasingly blurred. The medical applications are compelling; the philosophical implications are profound.