If Adam is right, and the only way to get great at research is long periods of time with lots of mentor feedback, then MATS should probably pivot away from the 2-6 month time-scales they’ve been operating at, and toward 2-6 year timescales for training up their mentees.
Seems like the thing to do is to have a program that happens after MATS, not to extend MATS. I think in-general you want sequential filters for talent, and ideally the early stages are as short as possible (my guess is indeed MATS should be a bit shorter).
Seems dependent on how much economies of scale matter here. Given the main cost (other than paying people) is ops, and relationships (between MATS and the community, mentors, funders, and mentees), I think its pretty possible the efficient move is to have MATS get into this niche.
Of course, it would then be more difficult for them to find mentors, mentees, and money. But if all of those scale down similarly, then there should be no problem.
If Adam is right, and the only way to get great at research is long periods of time with lots of mentor feedback, then MATS should probably pivot away from the 2-6 month time-scales they’ve been operating at, and toward 2-6 year timescales for training up their mentees.
Seems like the thing to do is to have a program that happens after MATS, not to extend MATS. I think in-general you want sequential filters for talent, and ideally the early stages are as short as possible (my guess is indeed MATS should be a bit shorter).
Seems dependent on how much economies of scale matter here. Given the main cost (other than paying people) is ops, and relationships (between MATS and the community, mentors, funders, and mentees), I think its pretty possible the efficient move is to have MATS get into this niche.
Who is Adam? Is this FAR AI CEO Adam Gleave?
Yes
Yes, Garrett is referring to this post: https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/yi7shfo6YfhDEYizA/more-people-getting-into-ai-safety-should-do-a-phd
Of course, it would then be more difficult for them to find mentors, mentees, and money. But if all of those scale down similarly, then there should be no problem.