# AXRP Episode 38.8 - David Duvenaud on Sabotage Evaluations and the Post-AGI Future

**Daniel Filan** (00:09): Hello, everyone. This is one of a series of short interviews that I’ve been conducting at the Bay Area Alignment Workshop, which is run by FAR.AI. Links to what we’re discussing, as usual, are in the description. A transcript is available at . And as usual, if you want to support the podcast, you can do so at . Well, let’s continue to the interview.

(00:28): All right. I’m chatting with David Duvenaud. Hello, David.

**David Duvenaud** (00:32): Hi, Daniel. Thank you. It’s an honor to be here.

**Daniel Filan** (00:34): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (00:40): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (01:12): Before we talk about your work, we’re currently at this alignment workshop being run by FAR.AI. I’m wondering, how are you finding the workshop?

**David Duvenaud** (01:19): I mean, it’s wonderful. I’ve been to a bunch of these over the years. And now this is the first one where I feel like I’m sitting on a serious body of technical work to talk about, which is nice. Previously, I’ve been this AGI-interested mainstream academic that I think the community was hoping I would join them and lend legitimacy. And so I finally actually was able to take the plunge in a serious way.

## The difficulty of sabotage evaluations

**Daniel Filan** (01:42): Yeah. Now that you’ve taken the plunge, we’re currently at an alignment workshop being run by FAR.AI. I’m wondering, how are you finding the workshop?

**David Duvenaud** (01:48): I mean, it’s wonderful. I’ve been to a bunch of these over the years. And now this is the first one where I feel like I’m sitting on a serious body of technical work to talk about, which is nice. Previously, I’ve been this AGI-interested mainstream academic that I think the community was hoping I would join them and lend legitimacy. And so I finally actually was able to take the plunge in a serious way.

**Daniel Filan** (02:22): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (02:28): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (02:28): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (02:33): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (02:39): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (02:45): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (02:57): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (03:03): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (03:16): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (03:21): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (03:27): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (03:32): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (03:38): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (03:43): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (03:49): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (03:54): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (04:03): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (04:09): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (04:21): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (04:26): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (04:36): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (04:41): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (04:47): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (04:52): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (05:03): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (05:07): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (05:15): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (05:20): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (05:28): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (05:33): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (05:42): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (05:47): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (06:00): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (06:05): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (06:16): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (06:21): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (06:31): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (06:36): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (06:48): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (06:53): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (07:02): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (07:07): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (07:17): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (07:22): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (07:34): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (07:40): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (07:56): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (07:59): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (08:12): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (08:17): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (08:28): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (08:32): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (08:42): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (08:47): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (09:00): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (09:05): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (09:16): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (09:21): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (09:32): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (09:37): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (10:00): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (10:05): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (10:10): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (10:16): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (10:24): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (10:31): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (10:40): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (10:45): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (11:00): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (11:05): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (11:15): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (11:20): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (11:28): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (11:33): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (11:43): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (11:48): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (12:02): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (12:07): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (12:20): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (12:25): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (12:35): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (12:40): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (12:53): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (13:00): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (13:13): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (13:18): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (13:32): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (13:37): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (13:44): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (13:49): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (14:00): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (14:04): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (14:14): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (14:19): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (14:28): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (14:33): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (14:44): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (14:49): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (15:00): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (15:05): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (15:15): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (15:20): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (15:28): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (15:33): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (15:43): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (15:48): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (16:00): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (16:05): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (16:15): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (16:20): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (16:28): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (16:33): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (16:45): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (16:50): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (17:00): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (17:05): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (17:15): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (17:20): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (17:28): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (17:33): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (17:48): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (17:53): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (18:05): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (18:10): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (18:25): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (18:30): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (18:47): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (18:52): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (19:02): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (19:07): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (19:20): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (19:25): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (19:35): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (19:40): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (19:48): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (19:53): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (20:00): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (20:05): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (20:15): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (20:20): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (20:27): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (20:32): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (20:42): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (20:47): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (20:57): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (21:02): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally going to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (21:12): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (21:18): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally went to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (21:28): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (21:33): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally went to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (21:40): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (21:45): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally went to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (21:50): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (21:55): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally went to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (22:00): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (22:05): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally went to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (22:15): So for people who aren’t familiar with you, who are you and what do you do?

**David Duvenaud** (22:20): Sure. So for the last little while, since 2016, I’ve been a professor at the University of Toronto, doing probabilistic deep learning. Maybe I’m best known for , or some early work on graph neural networks. And then around 2017, me and my colleague,  decided we were finally went to actually try to contribute to AI safety, and both took on PhD students. And gradually, this journey of “let’s try to work more on AGI safety” led to me just doing a year and a half-long sabbatical at Anthropic that I just finished this week.

**Daniel Filan** (22:28): So for people who are looking to join the Alignment Workshop, what is the best way to get in touch with you?</p>

<p id="block29"><strong>David Duvenaud</strong> (22:33): So if you’re pretty if you’re interested in joining the Alignment Workshop, I’d be happy to have you contact me via email at <a href="mailto:dduvenaud@toronto.edu">dduvenaud@toronto.edu</a>.</p>

<p id="block30"><strong>Daniel Filan</strong> (22:40): That’s David Duvenaud. Thanks for joining me.</p>

<p id="block31"><strong>David Duvenaud</strong> (22:45): Thank you.</p>
</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div id="onetrust-consent-sdk"><div class="onetrust-pc-dark-filter ot-hide ot-fade-in"></div><div id="onetrust-banner-sdk" class="otFlat bottom ot-wo-title vertical-align-content" tabindex="0" role="region" aria-label="Cookie banner"><div role="alertdialog" aria-describedby="onetrust-policy-text" aria-label="Privacy"><div class="ot-sdk-container"><div class="ot-sdk-row"><div id="onetrust-group-container" class="ot-sdk-eight ot-sdk-columns"><div class="banner_logo"></div><div id="onetrust-policy"><div id="onetrust-policy-text">This website uses cookies to enhance user experience and to analyze performance and traffic on our website. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our use of cookies. For more information on how we use cookies please see our Privacy Policy.</div></div></div><div id="onetrust-button-group-parent" class="ot-sdk-three ot-sdk-columns"><div id="onetrust-button-group"><button id="onetrust-pc-btn-handler" class="cookie-setting-link">Cookies Settings</button>  <button id="onetrust-accept-btn-handler">Accept All Cookies</button></div></div></div></div><div id="onetrust-close-btn-container"><button class="onetrust-close-btn-handler onetrust-close-btn-ui banner-close-button ot-close-icon" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://cdn.cookielaw.org/logos/static/ot_close.svg&quot;);" aria-label="Close"></button></div></div></div></div><iframe id="intercom-frame" style="position: absolute !important; opacity: 0 !important; width: 1px !important; height: 1px !important; top: 0 !important; left: 0 !important; border: none !important; display: block !important; z-index: -1 !important; pointer-events: none;" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1" title="Intercom"></iframe><div class="intercom-lightweight-app"><div class="intercom-lightweight-app-launcher intercom-launcher" role="button" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open Intercom Messenger" aria-live="polite"><div class="intercom-lightweight-app-launcher-icon intercom-lightweight-app-launcher-icon-open"></div><div class="intercom-lightweight-app-launcher-icon intercom-lightweight-app-launcher-icon-minimize">
</div></div></div></body></html>
```