Why don’t SIAI researchers decide to definitively solve some difficult unsolved mathematics, programming, or engineering problem as proof of their abilities?
Yes it would waste time that could have been spent on AI-related philosophy but would unambiguously support the competency of SIAI.
You mean, like decision theory? Both Timeless Decision Theory (which Eliezer developed) and Updateless Decision Theory (developed mostly by folks who are now SI Research Associates) are groundbreaking work in the field, and both are currently being written up for publication, I believe.
Why don’t SIAI researchers decide to definitively solve some difficult unsolved mathematics, programming, or engineering problem as proof of their abilities?
Yes it would waste time that could have been spent on AI-related philosophy but would unambiguously support the competency of SIAI.
You mean, like decision theory? Both Timeless Decision Theory (which Eliezer developed) and Updateless Decision Theory (developed mostly by folks who are now SI Research Associates) are groundbreaking work in the field, and both are currently being written up for publication, I believe.