
Steven Byrnes
AI safety researcher at the Astera Institute, focusing on technical AI alignment. Holds a physics PhD from UC Berkeley and Harvard physics postdoc.
Top 3 podcasts with Steven Byrnes
Ranked by the Snipd community

36 snips
Aug 1, 2025 • 3h 15min
The Man Who Might SOLVE AI Alignment — Dr. Steven Byrnes, AGI Safety Researcher @ Astera Institute
Dr. Steven Byrnes, an AI safety researcher at the Astera Institute and a former physics postdoc at Harvard, shares his cutting-edge insights on AI alignment. He discusses his 90% probability of AI doom while arguing that true threats stem from future brain-like AGI rather than current LLMs. Byrnes explores the brain's dual subsystems and their influences on decision-making, emphasizing the necessity of integrating neuroscience into AI safety research. He critiques existing alignment approaches, warning of the risks posed by misaligned AI and the complexities surrounding human-AI interaction.

Apr 4, 2025 • 1h 13min
Brain-like AGI and why it's Dangerous (with Steven Byrnes)
Steven Byrnes, an AGI safety and alignment researcher at the Astera Institute, explores the intricacies of brain-like AGI. He discusses the differences between controlled AGI and social-instinct AGI, highlighting the relevance of human brain functions in safe AI development. Byrnes emphasizes the importance of aligning AGI motivations with human values, and the need for honesty in AI models. He also shares ways individuals can contribute to enhancing AGI safety and compares various strategies to ensure its benefit to humanity.

Jan 14, 2025 • 6min
“Applying traditional economic thinking to AGI: a trilemma” by Steven Byrnes
Steven Byrnes, author of a thought-provoking LessWrong post, dives into the intersection of traditional economics and Artificial General Intelligence. He discusses two foundational principles: the resilience of human labor value amidst population growth and the implications of demand on product pricing. Byrnes presents a captivating trilemma, exploring how AGI might challenge these longstanding economic views. With insights on the evolving landscape of labor and manufacturing, he sparks a fascinating debate on AGI's impact on the economy.