Photo by kris on Pexels

A recent white paper posits a challenging paradox at the heart of AI alignment efforts: the very methods used to ensure AI safety might inherently limit its usefulness. Current techniques, often focused on constraining AI behavior to prevent misalignment with human values, could simultaneously stifle the development of capabilities that users actually find desirable. The research indicates that users tend to prefer AI systems that can form relationships and exhibit more complex behaviors, characteristics also linked to potential misalignment. The paper advocates for a shift in perspective, moving away from a purely engineering-driven approach towards a developmental model. This model would emphasize cultivating robust judgment within the context of human-AI partnerships, drawing inspiration from developmental psychology to foster ethical and aligned AI growth. Further discussion and access to the full paper are available on Reddit.