How I formed my own views about AI safety

Abstract

This article explores the concept of forming inside views about AI safety. It argues that an inside view is a reasoned position on a complex topic that begins with basic beliefs about the world and uses them to arrive at conclusions without relying solely on experts. In contrast, outside views rely on expert opinions without independent analysis. While there is a common belief in the AI safety community that inside views are superior to outside views, the author questions the validity of this belief. They argue that forming inside views can be stressful and counterproductive. They also suggest that a combination of inside and outside views, informed by critical thinking, independent research, and open-mindedness, might be a more effective approach to understanding complex issues like AI safety. – AI-generated abstract.