Foresight Institute Radio

Steven Byrnes 

Steven Byrnes is a Research Fellow at the Astera Institute, where he is doing research at the intersection of neuroscience and Artificial General Intelligence Safety. His public writing on this topic is listed here.

Before working on AGI Safety, he was a physicist in academia and industry. He has a Physics PhD from UC Berkeley.

Session summary
Researchers will soon develop brain-like algorithms, enabling computers to possess understanding, collaboration, problem-solving abilities, and innovation. To ensure a positive outcome, we must address the challenge of fostering a desirable intelligent species and establishing mutual willingness to coexist. By leveraging our understanding of brain algorithms, we can shape this future.  Steven proposes a scenario where ~96% of the human brain is dedicated to scaled-up learning algorithms, where AGI could be achieved in decades – with the continued issue of ensuring prosocial motivations.

https://foresight.org/summary/steven-byrnes-astera-institute-challenges-for-safe-and-beneficial-brain-like-agi/

Neurotech Group: https://foresight.org/technologies/neurotech-improving-cognition/

The Foresight Institute is a research organization and non-profit that supports the beneficial development of high-impact technologies. Since our founding in 1987 on a vision of guiding powerful technologies, we have continued to evolve into a many-armed organization that focuses on several fields of science and technology that are too ambitious for legacy institutions to support.

Allison Duettmann is the president and CEO of Foresight Institute. She directs the Intelligent Cooperation, Molecular Machines, Biotech & Health Extension, Neurotech, and Space Programs, Fellowships, Prizes, and Tech Trees, and shares this work with the public. She founded Existentialhope.com, co-edited Superintelligence: Coordination & Strategy, co-authored Gaming the Future, and co-initiated The Longevity Prize. 

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