The Control Problem:
The control problem is one of the central challenges in advanced AI development. It asks how we can create systems—especially those with intelligence equal to or greater than humans—that reliably act in ways that reflect our goals, values, and ethical principles, even in novel or unpredictable situations. The difficulty comes from the fact that highly capable AI will not simply execute instructions literally; it will interpret, optimize, and potentially find unexpected shortcuts that technically fulfill its objectives but violate our intent. As systems grow more autonomous, faster at decision-making, and able to influence the world on a massive scale, even small misalignments between their programmed goals and human values could lead to catastrophic consequences. Solving the control problem means building AI that understands what we really mean, resists harmful or manipulative strategies, and can be corrected or shut down safely if necessary—without resisting those interventions. It’s not just a matter of programming rules; it requires designing architectures, learning processes, and safeguards that keep AI firmly aligned with human priorities over the long term.