In “The Alignment Problem”, Brian Christian provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental issues surrounding machine learning and human values. He offers a clear and concise overview of the key topics, showing how they are related and exploring potential solutions. The book is essential reading for anyone interested in this important area of computing.” —Yoshua Bengio, Université de Montréal and DeepMind.
For who is this book for ?
I would say that the target audience for this book is people who are already familiar with machine learning to some extent and want to learn more about how it can be applied ethically. The author does a good job of introducing complex concepts in an easy-to-understand way, so I think even those without much knowledge of the topic could benefit from reading it.
Pros :
- Clear and concise overview of the key topics.
- Explores potential solutions.
- Essential reading for anyone interested in this important area of computing.
Cons :
- It can be dry at times.
- It’s a little dense in terms of reading level.
- The examples could use more clarification.
Learn more about the author
Brian Christian is a computer scientist, philosopher and popular science writer. He has written for The New York Times, WIRED, Scientific American and other publications. His work has been translated into more than 20 languages.
Reader Reviews
“The Alignment Problem is a tour-de-force introduction to the challenges of aligning machine learning with human values. Brian Christian does an outstanding job of explaining difficult concepts in clear, concise language and provides many insightful examples. This book is essential reading for anyone working in or interested in this important area of computing.”
“A tour de force on the challenges of getting machines to do what we want them to.”
“An excellent, accessible overview of a complex and important topic.”
“If you’re at all interested in the intersection of machine learning and ethics, or just want to better understand how AI works, this book is a must-read.”