Lilian Weng (co-founder) leaving Thinking Machines

twitter.com

12 pointsdpc105 comments

Although this is interesting, it's worth noting that she's saying that her departure is for health reasons, so it feels like it'd be a hollow place for us – as HN is wont to do – to speculate on the company.

I actually think it says next to nothing about the company but a fair amount about the tradeoffs that roles like this one in companies like this one require. The honesty is refreshing.

What does it say about that?

She’s sick and has concluded she can’t work. Not that her anxiety made her too sick to work.

> The honesty is refreshing.

If only the people in AI leadership roles could be honest about the AI itself.

The risks, ranging from the economic to the personal safety/mental health. The wholesale theft of the world's IP. The huge environmental costs. The inevitable ethical issues, such as the use of AI in automated warfare. And so on.

I wish the author the best. I've been reading Lil'Log for many years, as long as I've been pursuing research. The times right now are challenging, and I can't imagine the stress working near the bleeding edge. Everyone I know is feeling something right now, even outside of such high stress positions.

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