What's going on with deep learning? What sorts of models get learned, and what are the learning dynamics? Singular learning theory is a theory of Bayesian statistics broad enough in scope to encompass deep neural networks that may help answer these questions. In this episode, I speak with Daniel Murfet about this research program and what it tells us. Patreon: patreon.com/axrpodcast Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/axrpodcast Topics we discuss, and timestamps: 0:00:26 - What is singular learning theory? 0:16:00 - Phase transitions 0:35:12 - Estimating the local learning coefficient 0:44:37 - Singular learning theory and generalization 1:00:39 - Singular learning theory vs other deep learning theory 1:17:06 - How singular learning theory hit AI alignment 1:33:12 - Payoffs of singular learning theory for AI alignment 1:59:36 - Does singular learning theory advance AI capabilities? 2:13:02 - Open problems in singular learning theory for AI alignment 2:20:53 - What is the singular fluctuation? 2:25:33 - How geometry relates to information 2:30:13 - Following Daniel Murfet's work The transcript: https://axrp.net/episode/2024/05/07/episode-31-singular-learning-theory-dan-murfet.html Daniel Murfet's twitter/X account: https://twitter.com/danielmurfet Developmental interpretability website: https://devinterp.com Developmental interpretability YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Devinterp Main research discussed in this episode: - Developmental Landscape of In-Context Learning: https://arxiv.org/abs/2402.02364 - Estimating the Local Learning Coefficient at Scale: https://arxiv.org/abs/2402.03698 - Simple versus Short: Higher-order degeneracy and error-correction: https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/nWRj6Ey8e5siAEXbK/simple-versus-short-higher-order-degeneracy-and-error-1 Other links: - Algebraic Geometry and Statistical Learning Theory (the grey book): https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/algebraic-geometry-and-statistical-learning-theory/9C8FD1BDC817E2FC79117C7F41544A3A - Mathematical Theory of Bayesian Statistics (the green book): https://www.routledge.com/Mathematical-Theory-of-Bayesian-Statistics/Watanabe/p/book/9780367734817 In-context learning and induction heads: https://transformer-circuits.pub/2022/in-context-learning-and-induction-heads/index.html - Saddle-to-Saddle Dynamics in Deep Linear Networks: Small Initialization Training, Symmetry, and Sparsity: https://arxiv.org/abs/2106.15933 - A mathematical theory of semantic development in deep neural networks: https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.1820226116 - Consideration on the Learning Efficiency Of Multiple-Layered Neural Networks with Linear Units: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4404877 - Neural Tangent Kernel: Convergence and Generalization in Neural Networks: https://arxiv.org/abs/1806.07572 - The Interpolating Information Criterion for Overparameterized Models: https://arxiv.org/abs/2307.07785 - Feature Learning in Infinite-Width Neural Networks: https://arxiv.org/abs/2011.14522 - A central AI alignment problem: capabilities generalization, and the sharp left turn: https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/GNhMPAWcfBCASy8e6/a-central-ai-alignment-problem-capabilities-generalization - Quantifying degeneracy in singular models via the learning coefficient: https://arxiv.org/abs/2308.12108 Episode art by Hamish Doodles: hamishdoodles.com
No persons identified in this episode.
This episode hasn't been transcribed yet
Help us prioritize this episode for transcription by upvoting it.
Popular episodes get transcribed faster
Other recent transcribed episodes
Transcribed and ready to explore now
3ª PARTE | 17 DIC 2025 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE
01 Jan 1970
El Partidazo de COPE
LVST 19 de diciembre de 2025
19 Dec 2025
La Venganza Será Terrible (oficial)
Trumps irre Milliarden-Fusion und Win-Win-Deal für Netflix
19 Dec 2025
Alles auf Aktien – Die täglichen Finanzen-News
PL Striker Transfer Grades
18 Dec 2025
ESPN FC
TNB Tech Minute: FTC Orders Instacart to Pay $60 Million Over Deceptive Practices
18 Dec 2025
WSJ Tech News Briefing
Hidden Gem Stocks We Love at the End of the Year
18 Dec 2025
Motley Fool Money