AIs will face philosophical questions humans can't answer for them. Text version here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2026/01/29/building-ais-that-do-human-like-philosophy/

AIs with alien motivations can still follow instructions safely on the inputs that matter. Text version here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2025/11/12/how-human-like-do-safe-ai-motivations-need-to-be/

Also: to avoid it? Handle it? Solve it forever? Solve it completely?

Text version here: https://joecarlsmith.substack.com/p/what-is-it-to-solve-the-alignment

Introduction to a series of essays about paths to safe and useful superintelligence. 

Text version here: https://joecarlsmith.substack.com/p/how-do-we-solve-the-alignment-problem

When the line pulls at your hand. 

Text version here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2025/01/28/fake-thinking-and-real-thinking/. 

What can we learn from recent empirical demonstrations of scheming in frontier models? Text version here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/12/18/takes-on-alignment-faking-in-large-language-models/

Extended audio from my conversation with Dwarkesh Patel. This part focuses on the basic story about AI takeover. Transcript available on my website here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/09/30/part-2-ai-takeover-extended-audio-transcript-from-my-conversation-with-dwarkesh-patel

Extended audio from my conversation with Dwarkesh Patel. This part focuses on my series "Otherness and control in the age of AGI." Transcript available on my website here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/09/30/part-1-otherness-extended-audio-transcript-from-my-conversation-with-dwarkesh-patel/

This is the introduction and summary for my series "Otherness and control in the age of AGI." 

Text version here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/01/02/otherness-and-control-in-the-age-of-agi

Second half of the full audio for my series on how agents with different values should relate to one another, and on the ethics of seeking and sharing power. 

First half here: https://joecarlsmithaudio.buzzsprout.com/2034731/15266490-first-half-of-full-audio-for-otherness-and-control-in-the-age-of-agi

PDF of the full series here: https://jc.gatspress.com/pdf/otherness_full.pdf
Summary of the series here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/01/02/otherness-and-control-in-the-age-of-agi

First half of the full audio for my series on how agents with different values should relate to one another, and on the ethics of seeking and sharing power. 

Second half here: https://joecarlsmithaudio.buzzsprout.com/2034731/15272132-second-half-of-full-audio-for-otherness-and-control-in-the-age-of-agi

PDF of the full series here: https://jc.gatspress.com/pdf/otherness_full.pdf
Summary of the series here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/01/02/otherness-and-control-in-the-age-of-agi

Garden, campfire, healing water.

Text version here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/06/18/loving-a-world-you-dont-trust

This essay is part of a series I'm calling "Otherness and control in the age of AGI." I'm hoping that individual essays can be read fairly well on their own, but see here for brief text summaries of the essays that have been released thus far: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/01/02/otherness-and-control-in-the-age-of-agi

On a career move, and on AI-safety-focused people working at AI companies. Text version here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2025/11/03/leaving-open-philanthropy-going-to-anthropic/

Examining a certain kind of meaning-laden receptivity to the world.

Text version here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/03/25/on-attunement

This essay is part of a series I'm calling "Otherness and control in the age of AGI." I'm hoping that individual essays can be read fairly well on their own, but see here for brief text summaries of the essays that have been released thus far: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/01/02/otherness-and-control-in-the-age-of-agi

(Though: note that I haven't put the summary post on the podcast yet.)

Examining a philosophical vibe that I think contrasts in interesting ways with "deep atheism."

Text version here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/03/21/on-green

This essay is part of a series I'm calling "Otherness and control in the age of AGI." I'm hoping that individual essays can be read fairly well on their own, but see here for brief text summaries of the essays that have been released thus far: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/01/02/otherness-and-control-in-the-age-of-agi

(Though: note that I haven't put the summary post on the podcast yet.)

What does it take to avoid tyranny towards to the future?

Text version here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/01/18/on-the-abolition-of-man

This essay is part of a series I'm calling "Otherness and control in the age of AGI." I'm hoping that individual essays can be read fairly well on their own, but see here for brief text summaries of the essays that have been released thus far: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/01/02/otherness-and-control-in-the-age-of-agi

(Though: note that I haven't put the summary post on the podcast yet.)

Let's be the sort of species that aliens wouldn't fear the way we fear paperclippers.

Text version here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/01/16/being-nicer-than-clippy/

This essay is part of a series I'm calling "Otherness and control in the age of AGI." I'm hoping that individual essays can be read fairly well on their own, but see here for brief text summaries of the essays that have been released thus far: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/01/02/otherness-and-control-in-the-age-of-agi

(Though: note that I haven't put the summary post on the podcast yet.)

Who isn't a paperclipper?

Text version here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/01/11/an-even-deeper-atheism

This essay is part of a series I'm calling "Otherness and control in the age of AGI." I'm hoping that individual essays can be read fairly well on their own, but see here for brief summaries of the essays that have been released thus far: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/01/02/otherness-and-control-in-the-age-of-agi

Examining Robin Hanson's critique of the AI risk discourse.

Text version here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/01/09/does-ai-risk-other-the-ais

This essay is part of a series of essays called "Otherness and control in the age of AGI." I'm hoping the individual essays can be read fairly well on their own, but see here for brief summaries of the essays that have been released thus far: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/01/02/otherness-and-control-in-the-age-of-agi

On the connection between deep atheism and seeking control. 

Text version here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/01/08/when-yang-goes-wrong

This essay is part of a series of essays called "Otherness and control in the age of AGI." I'm hoping the individual essays can be read fairly well on their own, but see here for brief summaries of the essays that have been released thus far: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/01/02/otherness-and-control-in-the-age-of-agi

On a certain kind of fundamental mistrust towards Nature. 

Text version here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/01/04/deep-atheism-and-ai-risk

This is the second essay in my series “Otherness and control in the age of AGI. I’m hoping that the individual essays can be read fairly well on their own, but see here for brief summaries of the essays released thus far: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/01/02/otherness-and-control-in-the-age-of-agi

AIs as fellow creatures. And on getting eaten. 

Link: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/01/02/gentleness-and-the-artificial-other

This is the first essay in a series of essays that I’m calling “Otherness and control in the age of AGI.” See here for more about the series as a whole: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/01/02/otherness-and-control-in-the-age-of-agi.

What is altruism towards a paperclipper? Can you paint with all the colors of the wind at once? 

(This is a recording of an essay originally published in 2021. Text here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2021/07/19/in-search-of-benevolence-or-what-should-you-get-clippy-for-christmas)

On boxing AIs, and on making deals with them. Text version here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2025/09/29/controlling-the-options-ais-can-pursue

This is section 6 of my report “Scheming AIs: Will AIs fake alignment during training in order to get power?” 

Text of the report here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08379
 
Summary of the report here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2023/11/15/new-report-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power
 
Audio summary here: https://joecarlsmithaudio.buzzsprout.com/2034731/13969977-introduction-and-summary-of-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power

This is section 5 of my report “Scheming AIs: Will AIs fake alignment during training in order to get power?” 

Text of the report here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08379
 
Summary of the report here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2023/11/15/new-report-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power
 
Audio summary here: https://joecarlsmithaudio.buzzsprout.com/2034731/13969977-introduction-and-summary-of-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power

This is section 4.4 through 4.7 of my report “Scheming AIs: Will AIs fake alignment during training in order to get power?” 

Text of the report here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08379
 
Summary of the report here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2023/11/15/new-report-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power
 
Audio summary here: https://joecarlsmithaudio.buzzsprout.com/2034731/13969977-introduction-and-summary-of-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power

This is section 4.3 of my report “Scheming AIs: Will AIs fake alignment during training in order to get power?” 

Text of the report here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08379
 
Summary of the report here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2023/11/15/new-report-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power
 
Audio summary here: https://joecarlsmithaudio.buzzsprout.com/2034731/13969977-introduction-and-summary-of-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power

This is sections 4.1 and 4.2 of my report “Scheming AIs: Will AIs fake alignment during training in order to get power?” 

Text of the report here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08379
 
Summary of the report here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2023/11/15/new-report-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power
 
Audio summary here: https://joecarlsmithaudio.buzzsprout.com/2034731/13969977-introduction-and-summary-of-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power

This is section 3 of my report “Scheming AIs: Will AIs fake alignment during training in order to get power?” 

Text of the report here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08379
 
Summary of the report here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2023/11/15/new-report-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power
 
Audio summary here: https://joecarlsmithaudio.buzzsprout.com/2034731/13969977-introduction-and-summary-of-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power

This is section 2.3.2 of my report “Scheming AIs: Will AIs fake alignment during training in order to get power?” 

Text of the report here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08379
 
Summary of the report here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2023/11/15/new-report-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power
 
Audio summary here: https://joecarlsmithaudio.buzzsprout.com/2034731/13969977-introduction-and-summary-of-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power

This is section 2.3.1.2 of my report “Scheming AIs: Will AIs fake alignment during training in order to get power?” 

Text of the report here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08379
 
Summary of the report here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2023/11/15/new-report-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power
 
Audio summary here: https://joecarlsmithaudio.buzzsprout.com/2034731/13969977-introduction-and-summary-of-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power

This is section 2.3.1.1 of my report “Scheming AIs: Will AIs fake alignment during training in order to get power?” 

Text of the report here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08379
 
Summary of the report here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2023/11/15/new-report-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power
 
Audio summary here: https://joecarlsmithaudio.buzzsprout.com/2034731/13969977-introduction-and-summary-of-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power

This is section 2.2.4.3 of my report “Scheming AIs: Will AIs fake alignment during training in order to get power?” 

Text of the report here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08379
 
Summary of the report here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2023/11/15/new-report-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power
 
Audio summary here: https://joecarlsmithaudio.buzzsprout.com/2034731/13969977-introduction-and-summary-of-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power

A four-step picture. Text version here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2025/08/18/giving-ais-safe-motivations

This is sections 2.2.4.1-2.2.4.2 of my report “Scheming AIs: Will AIs fake alignment during training in order to get power?” 

Text of the report here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08379
 
Summary of the report here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2023/11/15/new-report-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power
 
Audio summary here: https://joecarlsmithaudio.buzzsprout.com/2034731/13969977-introduction-and-summary-of-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power

This is section 2.2.3 of my report “Scheming AIs: Will AIs fake alignment during training in order to get power?” 

Text of the report here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08379
 
Summary of the report here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2023/11/15/new-report-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power
 
Audio summary here: https://joecarlsmithaudio.buzzsprout.com/2034731/13969977-introduction-and-summary-of-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power

This is section 2.2.2 of my report “Scheming AIs: Will AIs fake alignment during training in order to get power?” 

Text of the report here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08379
 
Summary of the report here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2023/11/15/new-report-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power
 
Audio summary here: https://joecarlsmithaudio.buzzsprout.com/2034731/13969977-introduction-and-summary-of-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power

This is section 2.2.1 of my report “Scheming AIs: Will AIs fake alignment during training in order to get power?” 

Text of the report here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08379
 
Summary of the report here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2023/11/15/new-report-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power
 
Audio summary here: https://joecarlsmithaudio.buzzsprout.com/2034731/13969977-introduction-and-summary-of-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power

This is section 2.1 of my report “Scheming AIs: Will AIs fake alignment during training in order to get power?” 

Text of the report here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08379
 
Summary of the report here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2023/11/15/new-report-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power
 
Audio summary here: https://joecarlsmithaudio.buzzsprout.com/2034731/13969977-introduction-and-summary-of-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power

This is section 1.5 of my report “Scheming AIs: Will AIs fake alignment during training in order to get power?” 

Text of the report here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08379
 
Summary of the report here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2023/11/15/new-report-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power
 
Audio summary here: https://joecarlsmithaudio.buzzsprout.com/2034731/13969977-introduction-and-summary-of-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power

This is sections 1.3-1.4 of my report “Scheming AIs: Will AIs fake alignment during training in order to get power?” 

Text of the report here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08379
 
Summary of the report here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2023/11/15/new-report-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power
 
Audio summary here: https://joecarlsmithaudio.buzzsprout.com/2034731/13969977-introduction-and-summary-of-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power

This is section 1.2 of my report “Scheming AIs: Will AIs fake alignment during training in order to get power?” 

Text of the report here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08379
 
Summary of the report here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2023/11/15/new-report-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power
 
Audio summary here: https://joecarlsmithaudio.buzzsprout.com/2034731/13969977-introduction-and-summary-of-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power

This is section 1.1 of my report “Scheming AIs: Will AIs fake alignment during training in order to get power?” 

Text of the report here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08379
 
Summary of the report here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2023/11/15/new-report-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power
 
Audio summary here: https://joecarlsmithaudio.buzzsprout.com/2034731/13969977-introduction-and-summary-of-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power

This is the full audio for my report "Scheming AIs: Will AIs fake alignment during training in order to get power?"

(I’m also posting audio for individual sections of the report on this podcast, but the ordering was getting messed up on various podcast apps, and I think some people might want one big audio file regardless, so here it is. I’m going to be posting the individual sections one by one, in the right order, over the coming days. )

Full text of the report here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.08379
Summary here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2023/11/15/new-report-scheming-ais-will-ais-fake-alignment-during-training-in-order-to-get-power

On seeing and not seeing souls. Text version here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2025/05/21/the-stakes-of-ai-moral-status/

This is a recording of the introductory section of my report "Scheming AIs: Will AIs fake alignment during training in order to get power?".  This section includes a summary of the full report. The summary covers most of the main points and technical terminology, and I'm hoping that it will provide much of the context necessary to understand individual sections of the report on their own. (Note: the text of the report itself may not be public by the time this episode goes live.)

"It was, she said, a great discovery, albeit my real life."

Contra some meta-ethical views, you can't forever aim to approximate the self you would become in idealized conditions. You have to actively create yourself, often in the here and now. 

Originally published in 2021. Text version here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2021/06/21/on-the-limits-of-idealized-values

How worried about AI risk will we feel in the future, when we can see advanced machine intelligence up close? We should worry accordingly now. Text version here: https://joecarlsmith.com/2023/05/08/predictable-updating-about-ai-risk