Jun 06, 2018 | 11:00—12:00
1) How can a complex, differentiated ecosystem in a complex abiotic environment evolve from an initially simple abiotic environment with only a few species? I explore this in a model for the emergence of cross-feeding mutualisms in microbial communities, in a process of co-evolution between the biotic and abiotic environment, producing a complex interconnected ecosystem from an initially simple configuration.
2) How do we ensure a highly advanced Artificial Intelligence (or, as I prefer to call it, an advanced algorithm) acts in our best interests? This is a surprisingly challenging problem. I first explain and then highlight the flaws of one of the more popular proposed models, Iterated Distillation and Amplification.