Gwern — Anonymous writer who predicted AI trajectory on $12K/year salary

In this podcast, Gwern Branwen, an anonymous internet researcher, shares his thoughts on AI development, the advantages of staying anonymous, and his distinctive research methods. He foresaw the emergence of large language models (LLMs) by analyzing scaling laws in AI, suggesting that intelligence functions as a complex search process within Turing machines. Gwern highlights the significance of writing and contributing to our shared knowledge, especially as AI evolves rapidly. He reveals his research style, which involves diving deep into specific subjects—what he calls "rabbit holes"—and using online discussions to inspire his writing. Additionally, he talks about his unconventional lifestyle choices, including minimalism and the sacrifices he's made to focus on his research.