Interp Researcher: Don't Hillclimb Methods, Study What They Reveal About How Models Work
thebasepoint · x · 2026-09-27
An interpretability researcher advises against fixating on hillclimbing a single method. Instead, he argues, pay attention to what a method tells you about how models work: what information is accessible in what arrangement, and how that can be exploited to explain phenomena or build new methods.
He also notes that external research fads seem to see-saw — NLA only came out four months ago — underscoring how fast the field churns.
Related event: Researchers Call SAE Work Limited, Urge Mechanistic Understanding(3 posts)→
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