Dr. Thomas Parr, co-author of 'Active Inference' book, discusses the unifying Active Inference framework by Prof. Karl Friston, exploring living systems, agency, biology, and consciousness. Topics include resisting entropy, deep questions about causality, modeling, and consciousness, and the complexity of understanding language statistics and hidden causes.

Connor Leahy, CEO of Conjecture, discusses AI systems developing agency, coherence in technology, and the role of institutions in handling risks. He explores concerns about AI widening inequality and emphasizes equal access to opportunities. Leahy's perspective on life as a process that 'rides entropy' and balancing coherence with variance in exploring potential upsides are key highlights.

Prof. Chris Bishop discusses his new deep learning textbook with his son, emphasizing clarity and invariance. They explore the evolution of AI, large language models like GPT4, and the creative potential of AI systems. The podcast also covers the collaboration process, drug discovery acceleration with machine learning, representational transfer in deep learning, and the mathematical fabric of the universe.

Dr. Philip Ball, author of 'How Life Works,' delves into the concept of Agency in Biology. They discuss generative AI's impact on creativity and agency, the connection between agency and the second law of thermodynamics, and causation levels in life. The conversation touches on mechanical analogies in biology, the complexity of goals in AI and human decision-making, and the constraints of AI intelligence. They also explore human cognition through narratives and language

Dr. Paul Lessard discusses categorical deep learning and algebraic theory of architectures, aiming to make neural networks more interpretable and amenable to formal reasoning. They explore the limitations of current neural network architectures and the power of abstraction through category theory. Dr. Lessard provides an accessible introduction to core concepts in category theory and sees its potential to enhance AI and neural networks.

Dr. Minqi Jiang and Dr. Marc Rigter discuss training agents to learn many worlds before reinforcement learning, focusing on reward-free curricula. They explore robust decision-making, evolution of ML models, importance of agency in AI, shift from specialized to generalist models, world models, creativity in AI evolution, generalist agents, trade-offs in ML research, imitation learning, and optimizing model generalization.

In this podcast, they delve into the complexities of human behavior, the Bayesian brain hypothesis, and the evolution of human communication systems. They explore collective intelligence driving human progress, creativity in language usage, and the unique nature of human language compared to AI systems. The conversation also touches on the shift in concerns regarding AI evolution, from fears of AGI to mimetic intelligence and the implications for society.

Discover how Professor Kenneth Stanley created a unique social network focused on interests rather than popularity, inspired by his book 'Why greatness cannot be planned'. Explore the philosophy and technology behind the Serendipity network, challenging traditional optimization systems and promoting creativity through dynamic interest discovery. Dive into the paradox of setting objectives in AI research and the complexity of human intelligence contrasted with AI models. Learn about cultivating serendipity, fostering genuine interactions, and balancing user engagement in social networking design.

Brandon Rohrer, a seasoned data science leader and educator, discusses topics such as the capabilities and limitations of GPT models, exploring agency and world models in AI, limitations of transformers in language understanding, machine learning vs. robotics, teleology and reinforcement learning, and the impact of chat GPT on creativity.

The world's second-most famous AI doomer Connor Leahy sits down with Beff Jezos, the founder of the e/acc movement debating technology, AI policy, and human values. As the two discuss technology, AI safety, civilization advancement, and the future of institutions, they clash on their opposing perspectives on how we steer humanity towards a more optimal path. Watch behind the scenes, get early access and join the private Discord by supporting us on Patreon. We have some amazing content going up there with Max Bennett and Kenneth Stanley this week! https://patreon.com/mlst (public discord) https://discord.gg/aNPkGUQtc5 https://twitter.com/MLStreetTalk Post-interview with Beff and Connor: https://www.patreon.com/posts/97905213 Pre-interview with Connor and his colleague Dan Clothiaux: https://www.patreon.com/posts/connor-leahy-and-97631416 Leahy, known for his critical perspectives on AI and technology, challenges Jezos on a variety of assertions related to the accelerationist movement, market dynamics, and the need for regulation in the face of rapid technological advancements. Jezos, on the other hand, provides insights into the e/acc movement's core philosophies, emphasizing growth, adaptability, and the dangers of over-legislation and centralized control in current institutions. Throughout the discussion, both speakers explore the concept of entropy, the role of competition in fostering innovation, and the balance needed to mediate order and chaos to ensure the prosperity and survival of civilization. They weigh up the risks and rewards of AI, the importance of maintaining a power equilibrium in society, and the significance of cultural and institutional dynamism. Beff Jezos (Guillaume Verdon): https://twitter.com/BasedBeffJezos https://twitter.com/GillVerd Connor Leahy: https://twitter.com/npcollapse YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zxi0xSBOaQ TOC: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:05 - Society library reference 00:03:35 - Debate starts 00:05:08 - Should any tech be banned? 00:20:39 - Leaded Gasoline 00:28:57 - False vacuum collapse method? 00:34:56 - What if there are dangerous aliens? 00:36:56 - Risk tolerances 00:39:26 - Optimizing for growth vs value 00:52:38 - Is vs ought 01:02:29 - AI discussion 01:07:38 - War / global competition 01:11:02 - Open source F16 designs 01:20:37 - Offense vs defense 01:28:49 - Morality / value 01:43:34 - What would Conor do 01:50:36 - Institutions/regulation 02:26:41 - Competition vs. Regulation Dilemma 02:32:50 - Existential Risks and Future Planning 02:41:46 - Conclusion and Reflection Note from Tim: I baked the chapter metadata into the mp3 file this time, does that help the chapters show up in your app? Let me know. Also I accidentally exported a few minutes of dead audio at the end of the file - sorry about that just skip on when the episode finishes.