Daniel Dewey, 'Learning What to Value'

Abstract: I.J. Good's theory of an "intelligence explosion" predicts that ultraintelligent agents will undergo a process of repeated self-improvement. In the wake of such an event, how well our values are fulfilled will depend on whether these ultraintelligent agents continue to act desirably and as intended. We examine several design approaches, based on AIXI, that could be used to create ultraintelligent agents. In each case, we analyze the design conditions required for a successful, well-behaved ultraintelligent agent to be created. Our main contribution is an examination of value-learners, agents that learn a utility function from experience. We conclude that the design conditions on value-learners are in some ways less demanding than those on other design approaches.