Ignorance is bliss.

That’s the saying. You butcher your parking job, but don’t notice, all is well. Your pants have hole on the back that you’re not aware of, all is well. There’s a tiger on the prow and about to pounce, all is well.

Its correctness goes without saying. Sometimes information can be a real buzz kill, but while you’re ignorant to that information its as if it doesn’t exist at all. In that moment, you’re disconnected from the reality of your situation and, whether good or bad long term, you’re content.

When I was younger I used to watch a Youtuber called KSI. He posted Fifa (online soccer) videos. One of the things he did on his channel was called “Strip Fifa”. You’d play Fifa and when you were scored on you had to remove a piece of clothing. Conversely, if you scored on your opponent, they’d have to remove a piece of clothing.

In one video, he had this attractive girl come on (otherwise there’s no appeal, right). Goal after goal he scored and slowly but surely, the audience captivated, the clothes come off.

I’m not playing Strip Fifa, but it’s starting to feel that way. Everyday, with news and more news, I feel the clothes coming off, slowly stripping me bare and bringing my skin to the fore. Everyday I feel more naked.

Two months ago, I didn’t feel like this. Now I do. And, unfortunately, it’s the elephant in my room. Why the change? AI.

AI alignment research is leaps and bounds behind the state of the art models, meaning we can’t make them (or prove) they’re safe, and this disparity is increasing over time. Furthermore, systems are being integrated with AI faster than a desert sponge can absorb water. This is a big problem. The technology is so appealing and so valuable that the tech folks and engineers like myself can’t help but build things with it. We’re letting the monkeys into the castle and making them dance. Problem is they’re monkeys, R_obot Monkeys_, and robot monkeys are deceptively clever and, without proper advising, very unpredictable.

I think the robot monkeys are going to get into the kitchen, garden, and (god forbid) the study, in not too long from now, and I’m concerned about the impact that is going to have.

I know I’m not alone in my concern. Many people are concerned about the risks of AI but, all the while, I have not seen anything to dissuade me from believing that the advertised threat it poses is any less threatening. As I see it today, they will get more powerful, they will become more integrated into our infrastructure, and something bad will happen. My hope is that the bad thing is not that bad, only significant enough to catalyze the changes required to prevent further bad things.

This is why I feel more naked everyday. I believe, in some large or small way, I see where things are headed and I feel somewhat powerless to the changes.

If I was ignorant, or actively ignored what was going on, I would not have these concerns. But I’m not and I don’t want to ignore the tech world, largely because I find it so fascinating, so here we are, clothesless.

I want my clothes back.