MATS alumni are driving AI alignment research worldwide

Before MATS, I had a strong interest in alignment generally but few skillsets relevant to the frontier of research and little idea of how to get started. Directly thanks to MATS, I achieved: (1) a relatively complete understanding of the structure of the most important questions and associated communities in in the AI safety space, (2) legible and significant research outputs that gave me the confidence to continue switching into a full-time career in the space, and (3) access to a broad base of present and future collaborators with a very wide range of perspectives. On this third point, the talent exhibited at MATS is fearsome and highly motivated to solve the problems. It would not be at all surprising to me if when the dust settles and the grand project of alignment reaches eventual fruition, it becomes apparent that over a double digit percentage of the credit attribution to the key problems and solutions belongs to MATS alumni.

MATS helped me upskill in alignment at a >3x rate relative to the counterfactual, which was independently learning infra-bayesianism because I liked math and I didn't have an inside view on what parts of alignment was important. MATS caused me to develop a much deeper view of the alignment problem and afterwards I felt like I was able to focus on the most important parts of the problem and biggest sources of confusion within myself.

Participating in MATS was a great way to rapidly upskill in AI safety research, learn about the field, and meet other researchers/collaborators. The environment/office space was also very thoughtfully designed to enable productivity.

There's life pre-MATS and life post-MATS. It was the inflection point that set me up to become a technical AI safety researcher. I don't think there are other opportunities as good at getting early-career people integrated into AI safety. The in-person program was the most impactful and high-energy two months I've ever been a part of, and it's my number one recommendation to people considering work on AI safety.

Apollo almost certainly would not have happened without MATS. One of the core reasons why starting an organization is hard is because the founding members need to know and trust each other. It is often hard to find people with similar agendas that you also personally enjoy working with in a systematic manner. MATS implicitly created such an environment because it enabled many of us to understand what everyone else is working on, get to know them personally and see their research progress without having to commit to anything in particular.

MATS was a life changing experience. I met and got mentored by amazing people, and I learned so much in such a small amount of time. Looking back at me before this program, I don't think I could even recognize myself 8 month ago. Even though I have no academic background, I felt listened, empowered and supported in order to tackle the biggest challenges that I (and possibly we) have ever faced.

Working in a team environment, particularly one as stimulating as MATS, was a transformative experience. It not only refined my research skills but also instilled a newfound entrepreneurial spirit in me. The program encouraged me to think beyond the conventional, to innovate, and to take risks. Additionally, the array of skills I acquired during my time at MATS was vast. I delved deep into research engineering, honed my science communication abilities, and even tapped into the art of fundraising. These skills, I believe, are indispensable and have equipped me to navigate the ever-evolving world of research with confidence. In conclusion, I wholeheartedly endorse the MATS program. To anyone considering embarking on this journey, you are not only signing up for an unparalleled research experience but also a lifetime of growth, learning, and camaraderie.

MATS helped me get deeper into AI safety research by motivating me to get up to speed with current research and giving me access to mentorship from an expert in AI safety, as well as a smart and talented cohort and a large network of researchers. It also provided infrastructure such as office space in Berkeley and a generous stipend. SERI MATS worked as a matchmaker between Evan Hubinger and me and thus helped me get involved in his projects, which would have been harder to do otherwise. I feel like I have developed faster as a researcher since doing MATS.