The Alignment Problem: When AI Does What We Say, Not What We Mean

The Alignment Problem: When AI Does What We Say, Not What We Mean

From Where do we go from here? by Scott Catallo

November 4, 2025 · 23 min

About this episode

This episode explores the complexities of AI alignment and its implications for society.

👾 "How to Serve Man" — a classic Twilight Zone episode — asked a chilling question: when something promises to serve us… do we really know whose table we’re being served on? Today, that same question applies to AI Alignment. In this episode, I break down: What AI Alignment actually means (and why it’s trickier than it sounds) How social media algorithms already show us the dangers of misalignment Why even experts fear “reward hacking” and unintended consequences The real-world stakes: from fairness in hiring to global regulation Why AI alignment is really about human alignment first AI won’t align to us by accident. It will only align if we put in the work—technically, ethically, and socially. Thank you for listening and please subscribe to . . Where do we go from here? . . and tell your friends to do the same. Also keep the mail and feedback coming at catalloscott@gmail.com , so far, I have received enough viewer mail that I anticipate providing a quick mail bag episode soon to answer some interesting questions I have received.

People in this episode

Host: Scott Catallo

Topics covered

  • AI Alignment
  • social media algorithms
  • reward hacking
  • fairness in hiring
  • global regulation
  • human alignment

Keywords

  • AI
  • alignment problem
  • social media
  • unintended consequences
  • ethics
  • regulation
  • human alignment

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: How to Serve Man, Twilight Zone

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