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SERI ML Alignment Theory Scholars Program 2022
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Ryan Kidd·Victor Warlop·ozhang
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3/5
Good(3)Good quality. Reputable source with community review or editorial standards, but less rigorous than peer-reviewed venues.
Rating inherited from publication venue: LessWrong
This is the 2022 program announcement for MATS, which has since grown into a major independent alignment research training program; useful for understanding the origins and structure of MATS and the broader ecosystem of alignment researcher pipeline initiatives.
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lesswrong
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Summary
Announcement for the second iteration of the SERI ML Alignment Theory Scholars (MATS) Program, a structured summer initiative pairing aspiring AI alignment researchers with established mentors including Evan Hubinger, Beth Barnes, and John Wentworth. The program runs in Berkeley with a four-week upskilling phase, two-week research sprint, and eight-week intensive research period, offering substantial funding and full expense coverage.
Key Points
- •Program pairs scholars with established alignment researchers for 1:1 mentorship, which SERI views as the most effective path to developing alignment research capability.
- •Three-phase structure: 4-week online upskilling (10h/week), 2-week research sprint to test fit, then 8-week intensive in-person program in Berkeley.
- •Participants receive $6,000 upon completing training/sprint and $16,000 at program conclusion, plus covered accommodation and expenses.
- •Theory of change emphasizes supporting diverse research agendas to decorrelate failure in a pre-paradigmatic field with no single dominant approach.
- •Target applicants have completed AGI Safety Fundamentals curriculum, have technical research experience, and strong motivation for alignment careers.
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SERI ML Alignment Theory Scholars Program 2022
by Ryan Kidd , Victor Warlop , ozhang 27th Apr 2022 AI Alignment Forum 3 min read 6 69
Ω 25
The Stanford Existential Risks Initiative ( SERI ) recently opened applications for the second iteration of the ML Alignment Theory Scholars (MATS) Program , which aims to help aspiring alignment researchers enter the field by pairing them with established research mentors and fostering an academic community in Berkeley, California over the summer. Current mentors include Alex Gray, Beth Barnes, Evan Hubinger, John Wentworth, Leo Gao and Stuart Armstrong. Applications close on May 15 and include a written response to mentor-specific selection questions, viewable on our website .
Who is this program for?
Our ideal applicant has:
an understanding of the AI alignment research landscape equivalent to having chttps://www.agisafetyfundamentals.com/ai-alignment-curriculumompleted the AGI Safety Fundamentals course;
previous experience with technical research (e.g. ML, CS, maths, physics, neuroscience, etc.);
strong motivation to pursue a career in AI alignment research.
For the first stage of the program, we asked each alignment researcher to provide a set of questions that are sufficient to select candidates they would be happy to mentor. Applicants can apply for multiple mentors, but will have to complete each mentor’s selection questions.
What will this program involve?
Over four weeks, the participants will develop an understanding of a research agenda at the forefront of AI alignment through online readings and cohort discussions, averaging 10 h/week from Jun 6 to Jul 1. After this initial upskilling period, the scholars will be paired with an established AI alignment researcher for a two-week “research sprint” to test fit from Jul 4 to Jul 15. Assuming all goes well, scholars will be accepted into an eight-week intensive research program in Berkeley, California over the US summer break (Jul 25 to Sep 16).
Participants will obtain a $6,000 grant for completing the training and research sprint and $16,000 at the conclusion of the program. Furthermore, all expenses will be covered, including accommodation, office space and networking events with the Bay Area alignment community. We are happy to continue providing funding after the two month period to promising scholars, at the discretion of our research mentors. International students can apply to the program, and will arrive in the US under a B1 visa.
We hope to run another iteration of the program in the winter, and possibly in the fall. If you are not able to apply for the summer program, we encourage you to apply for the fall or winter. We may be able to offer different types of visas in future iterations.
The
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