Important, actionable research questions for the most important century

Abstract

This article argues that high-quality research is crucial for advancing the cause of making the most of the 21st century. It proposes several key research questions that, if answered, could have a major impact on how the risks and opportunities of transformative AI are managed. The article focuses on questions related to AI alignment, AI strategy, and AI takeoff dynamics. It is argued that many of these questions are understudied and that the community should focus more on making progress on them, rather than seeking “crucial considerations” or “Cause X” that are not on anyone’s radar today. The author advocates for a direct approach to tackling the most important questions and for developing a more robust understanding of the potential implications of transformative AI. – AI-generated abstract.