Steve Hsu: IQ, artificial intelligence and academia
Mar 30, 2024
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Physicist Steve Hsu discusses cognitive and behavioral genomics, AI advancements, and academia changes post 'Great Awokening'. They explore genetic predictors, cognitive abilities, and the impact of AI on the workforce. Hsu reflects on negative press, enterprise AI deployment challenges, and navigating accusations in academia.
Cognitive genomics study is advancing, while intelligence study is neglected.
AI companies will revolutionize workplace productivity and culture.
Deep neural nets and language models are transforming language processing.
Academic institutions face challenges in maintaining intellectual depth and unbiased decision-making processes.
Deep dives
Genetics in Health: Orchid's Whole Genome Testing for Embryos
Orchid offers whole genome testing for embryos, a valuable tool for individuals undergoing IVF to assess and reduce the risk of thousands of single gene disorders like heritable forms of autism, pediatric cancers, and birth defects. This testing plays a significant role in understanding the genetic factors affecting health, especially in children.
Opportunities and Challenges in Human Genetics
The discussion delves into the history and progress of human genetics, particularly focusing on advancements in genome-wide association studies. Reflecting on the evolution of genetic research since 2005, the conversation highlights the shift from candidate gene associations to whole genome analysis and the complexities of analyzing genetic data for various traits and disorders.
The Rise of Artificial Intelligence and Impact on Jobs
The podcast transitions into a conversation about artificial intelligence (AI) and its profound implications for society. Specifically, the exploration centers on the transformative potential of AI in streamlining tasks, from troubleshooting smart devices to enhancing productivity through AI assistants. The discussion underscores the evolving landscape of work and the impending impact of AI on job roles.
AI Advancements and Future Integration
The dialogue emphasizes recent breakthroughs in AI, particularly highlighting the capabilities of deep neural nets and large language models like GPT. These AI models have revolutionized language processing by encoding a vast array of human concepts and relationships. Moreover, the podcast touches on the development of AI assistants with attached memory, addressing the challenge of model hallucinations and offering superhuman troubleshooting abilities in tasks such as customer support and email responses.
Importance of Objective Discussions in Academia
Academia is meant to provide a platform for intellectually vibrant discussions and exploration of deep questions. However, there is a concerning shift towards conformism and lack of intellectual depth. The reluctance to engage in fact-based debates, especially in controversial topics, raises questions about the integrity of academic discourse and the pursuit of truth.
Challenges of Academic Diversity and Discrimination
Academic institutions face challenges related to diversity initiatives and discrimination in hiring practices. Instances were reported where candidates were favored or penalized based on their race or gender, showcasing an inconsistency in upholding fair evaluation criteria. The prevalence of discriminatory actions in academic settings highlights the need for transparency and merit-based decision-making processes.
Academic Integrity and Group Dynamics
Academic decision-making processes can be influenced by group dynamics, personal biases, and external pressures. Instances where evaluation criteria were compromised for non-academic reasons were highlighted, revealing the complexities of maintaining academic integrity. The story shared underlines the importance of unbiased assessment and the impact of group dynamics on academic judgments.
On this episode of Unsupervised Learning Razib talks to Steve Hsu, physicist, entrepreneur and public intellectual. Hsu is an Iowan who earned his undergraduate degree from Caltech and his Ph.D. from Berkeley. Later he was a Harvard Junior Fellow, before moving on to professorships at Yale and the University of Oregon, and finally settling down at Michigan State University in 2012. Hsu is founder of Safeweb and Genomic Prediction, and his current focus is on a new AI startup. Between 2012 and 2020, he was vice president for research and graduate studies at Michigan State. Hsu also has a blog, Information Processing, and a podcast, Manifold.
Razib asks Hsu about where cognitive and behavioral genomics are in 2024, and where they are going. They discuss the reality that while study of educational attainment (EDU) has proceeded relatively far, the study of intelligence itself has been neglected. Hsu outlines the case for why cognitive phenotypes should be studied, even if the topic remains controversial and fraught. They then address the current fad for artificial intelligence, and how emerging companies in the space are going to transform workplace productivity and culture. Hsu contrasts the rapid pace in the advancement in AI with the torpidity of behavioral genomics. Finally, Razib and Hsu discuss changes in academia in the wake of the “Great Awokening” that led to his ouster in 2020 from his role as vice president of research and graduate studies at Michigan State. Hsu talks about how his work in IQ and genetics became weaponized on social media by left-wing graduate students during the George Floyd protests.
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