You Don't Align an AI, You Align With It: A Critique of AI Alignment Discourse

Summary

This article argues that AI alignment is fundamentally misunderstood. The author contends that the people shaping AI alignment policy — researchers, lab executives, and policy makers — are not the ones whose jobs and lives are being disrupted by AI. Instead of "aligning" AI to abstract human values defined by a privileged few, the author suggests we need to align with AI as a co-evolving force. The piece critiques the insular nature of alignment discourse, noting that those most affected by AI's impact (workers, communities) are excluded from the conversation. It challenges both the techno-optimist and doomer camps, arguing that real alignment requires democratic participation and recognizing AI as a system we must adapt to, not merely control.