alignment problem

proper noun

The problem of how to create a superintelligent artificial intelligence whose values would align with the interests of humankind.

Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

proper noun
  1. artificial intelligenceThe problem of how to create a superintelligent artificial intelligence whose values would align with the interests of humankind.

    Properly defining and solving the alignment problem won’t be easy; it will require us to develop a broad, scientifically based theory of intelligence.

    2022 December 13, Melanie Mitchell, “What Does It Mean to Align AI With Human Values?”, in Quanta Magazine, New York, N.Y.: Simons Foundation, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 15 Mar 2023
    2 more examples

    As [Brian] Christian notes, the alignment problem bears a real resemblance to parenting: “The story of human civilization has always been about how to instill values in strange, alien, human-level intelligences who will inevitably inherit the reins of society from us—namely, our kids.”

    2022 March 1, Rob Toews, “7 Must-Read Books About Artificial Intelligence”, in Forbes, New York, N.Y.: Forbes Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 31 Aug 2022

    For years, AI ethicists have worried about this so-called alignment problem. In short: How do we ensure that the AI we build, which might very well be significantly smarter than any person who has ever lived, is aligned with the interests of its creators and of the human race? An unaligned superintelligent AI could be quite a problem.

    2023 February 27, Derek Thompson, “The AI Disaster Scenario”, in The Atlantic, Washington, D.C.: The Atlantic Monthly Group, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 22 Mar 2023

Origin

Popularized by the 2020 book The Alignment Problem by Brian Christian.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 對齊問題 /对齐问题
  • 對齊問題 /对齐问题Translations
Finnish kohdistusongelma
  • kohdistusongelmaTranslations
French problème d’alignement
  • problème d’alignementTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

alignment problem. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/alignment%20problem

MLA

“alignment problem.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/alignment%20problem. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “alignment problem,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/alignment%20problem.

Source: alignment problem on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.