On Saturday, August 17, 2024, Algoverse AI Research hosted an exclusive webinar featuring Callum McDougall, a Research Scientist at Anthropic. This event provided a unique opportunity for our community to engage with one of the leading experts in AI safety and interpretability.
The webinar kicked off at 9 AM PT, with participants from various backgrounds eager to learn about the latest developments in AI research and safety. Callum, who has been with Anthropic since 2024, shared his deep insights into AI safety, discussing the importance of building AI systems that are not only advanced but also aligned with human values and safety standards.
During the session, Callum delved into the nuances of AI interpretability, a critical area of his research at Anthropic. He emphasized the significance of understanding how AI models make decisions and the potential risks if these systems are not properly aligned. Participants were particularly engaged during the Q&A segment, where Callum answered questions about the future of AI, career opportunities in the field, and the challenges that lie ahead.
Callum is a dynamic figure in the AI community, with a diverse background that includes a Master’s in Mathematics from Cambridge and extensive experience in AI research. Since 2024, he’s been working full-time at Anthropic in their London office, focusing on interpretability research—a critical area in understanding and improving AI systems.
Before joining Anthropic, Callum worked at Jane Street and co-founded ARENA (Alignment Research Engineer Accelerator), where he played a pivotal role in shaping the curriculum and guiding participants through complex AI concepts. His passion for AI safety and his dedication to making AI research more accessible make him an inspiring figure for anyone interested in the field.
Learn more about his work at his LinkedIn and personal website.
About Anthropic
Anthropic is a leading AI safety and research company focused on building reliable, interpretable, and safe AI systems. Founded by a group of researchers and engineers, many of whom were formerly at OpenAI, like OpenAI co-founder John Schulman, Anthropic is dedicated to advancing AI in a way that aligns with human values and safety. They work on cutting-edge AI models, exploring areas like AI interpretability, robustness, and alignment to ensure that AI technologies are beneficial and safe for society.
A key innovation from Anthropic is Claude, a large language model designed with a strong emphasis on safety, interpretability, and alignment with human values. Claude stands out for its focus on reducing risks associated with AI behavior, making it a trusted tool in AI-driven conversations and applications.
For those who couldn't attend, stay tuned to Algoverse for more events and opportunities to learn from leading experts in the field. We look forward to hosting more sessions like this in the future as we continue to explore the cutting edge of AI research and safety.