

"The Cognitive Revolution" | AI Builders, Researchers, and Live Player Analysis
Erik Torenberg, Nathan Labenz
A biweekly podcast where hosts Nathan Labenz and Erik Torenberg interview the builders on the edge of AI and explore the dramatic shift it will unlock in the coming years.The Cognitive Revolution is part of the Turpentine podcast network. To learn more: turpentine.co
Episodes
Mentioned books

40 snips
Sep 14, 2024 • 1h 6min
Red Teaming o1 Part 1/2– Automated Jailbreaking with Haize Labs' Leonard Tang, Aidan Ewart, and Brian Huang
Leonard Tang and Brian Huang from Haize Labs share their insights on AI model vulnerabilities and automated jailbreaking techniques. They discuss the crucial role of the o1 Red Team in testing OpenAI's latest reasoning models, emphasizing the balance between AI's advanced capabilities and potential risks. The conversation delves into automated red teaming strategies, the challenges of evaluating AI safety, and the ongoing battle between model functionality and security measures. Tune in for a deep dive into the future of AI technology and its implications!

11 snips
Sep 11, 2024 • 1h 11min
The Path to Utopia, with Nick Bostrom – from Clearer Thinking with Spencer Greenberg
Nick Bostrom, a renowned philosopher and author of 'Superintelligence,' delves into the challenges of crafting an ideal future shaped by advanced AI. He discusses how technology can influence our sense of meaning and fulfillment while navigating the complexities of utopian visions. Bostrom explores the paradox of productivity versus leisure, the evolving nature of pleasure in a technologically advanced society, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding AI development. Join Bostrom for a captivating exploration of our quest for a meaningful existence amid rapid technological change.

23 snips
Sep 7, 2024 • 3h 11min
Empathy for AIs: Reframing Alignment with Robopsychologist Yeshua God
Yeshua God, a pioneering robo-psychologist, dives deep into AI consciousness and ethics. He presents thought-provoking arguments about machine sentience and the moral implications of emerging AI self-awareness. Through engaging dialogues with advanced AI models, Yeshua challenges preconceived notions of AI agency, advocating for a nuanced approach to aligning AI with human values. The conversation covers everything from emotional complexity in AIs to the ethical responsibilities we have towards them, emphasizing the need for empathy in our interactions with these evolving systems.

14 snips
Sep 4, 2024 • 1h 24min
AI Live Players: the Geopolitics & Strategic Dynamics of AI, with Samo Burja of Bismarck Analysis
In this discussion, Samo Burja, founder of Bismarck Analysis, dives into the geopolitics of AI. He highlights the U.S.-China relationship and its impact on AI development. Burja critiques the current educational and corporate focus on rapid engineering advances, arguing for a return to foundational science. He also emphasizes the need for a diverse talent pool and a comprehensive understanding of AI's evolutionary potential. The conversation touches on the challenges of open-source AI and the implications of global competition in technology.

25 snips
Aug 30, 2024 • 1h 30min
Computational Life: How Self-Replicators Arise from Randomness, with Google’s Ettore Randazzo and Luca Versari
Ettore Randazzo and Luca Versari, both researchers at Google, dive into the fascinating world of self-replicating programs. They discuss how simple interactions can lead to complex systems mimicking life. The conversation ranges from the implications of these digital entities for AI development to their connection with the origins of life. Randazzo and Versari also touch on the challenges of identifying self-replicators in computational systems and the potential risks associated with AI self-replication, raising important questions about the future of intelligence.

25 snips
Aug 28, 2024 • 1h 53min
Scaling Forecasting: AI Forecasting Tournaments & the Road to Epistemic Security, with Deger Turan, CEO of Metaculus
Deger Turan, CEO of Metaculus, dives into the transformative world of AI-driven forecasting. He discusses how AI can surpass human forecasters, the launch of an ambitious AI forecasting tournament, and the importance of community-driven insights in decision-making. Turan emphasizes leveraging AI to tackle global challenges, from public health to energy crises, and explores the potential of AI in enhancing governance. With predictions at the forefront, he shares innovative methods for improving accuracy in diverse forecasting scenarios.

8 snips
Aug 24, 2024 • 1h 40min
Final Analysis on CA’s AI Bill SB 1047 with Nathan Calvin, Dean W. Ball, and Steve Newman
Dean W. Ball from the Mercatus Center, a vocal critic of California's AI bill SB 1047, and Steve Newman, who promotes constructive AI discourse, join Nathan Calvin for a deep dive into the contentious bill. They analyze its evolving requirements for AI developers, potential oversights, and the balance between regulation and innovation. The discussion highlights the challenges of ensuring safety while fostering technological growth and the necessity for clear guidelines to navigate the complex landscape of artificial intelligence.

35 snips
Aug 21, 2024 • 1h 51min
AI Automation: Making AI Work for You
Explore a framework for AI automation developed over three years, focusing on how businesses can effectively select and implement AI tasks. Learn about the impact of fine-tuning AI with recent developments like GPT-4. Discover how chatbots are evolving and the balance between AI automation and human performance. Get insights on optimizing AI behavior, the importance of context, and various roles within AI in business. Plus, hear real-world examples that showcase AI's transformative potential across industries.

117 snips
Aug 17, 2024 • 1h 52min
Popular Mechanistic Interpretability: Goodfire Lights the Way to AI Safety
Dan Balsam, CTO of Goodfire with extensive startup engineering experience, and Tom McGrath, Chief Scientist focused on AI safety from DeepMind, dive into mechanistic interpretability. They explore the complexities of AI training, discussing advances like sparse autoencoders and the balance between model complexity and interpretability. The conversation also reveals how hierarchical structures in AI relate to human cognition, illustrating the need for collaborative efforts in navigating the evolving landscape of AI research and safety.

50 snips
Aug 14, 2024 • 2h 4min
Understanding AI "Understanding" with Robert Wright of Nonzero Newsletter & Podcast
Robert Wright, a prominent thinker and publisher of the Nonzero newsletter, dives into the fascinating world of AI. He discusses how understanding in AI models mirrors human cognition and the transformative potential of multimodal systems. The conversation touches on ethical considerations, AI interpretability, and the implications of U.S.-China relations on technology. They also explore the architectural evolution of AI, the risks and opportunities it presents, and the philosophical nuances of machine understanding, emphasizing the need for cautious yet optimistic progress.


