Discovering a New Direction in AI

The speaker shares their journey in discovering and pursuing a new direction in AI. They initially faced rejection from their department when proposing a PhD thesis in sociology about AI. However, the speaker remained determined and reached out to various professors, eventually forming a thesis committee. The speaker then describes their encounter with the field of AI ethics and the confessionary impulse among some prominent CS professors to address potential risks. They reflect on the passion and curious questioning within this community, comparing it to historical moments of intellectual exploration. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of pursuing topics that bring genuine happiness and authenticity, rather than fulfilling external expectations.