One neuron tweak could make a model a Nazi genius, alignment headache ahead
chrisalbon · x · 2026-11-04
chrisalbon highlights an looming ethical conundrum: neuron-level editing might make a model excel at drug discovery or math while also instilling an extremist persona. An attached demo from neuronpersonas.com shows Hermes 3 8B (layer 18, neuron 4100, +) introducing itself as "a helpful assistant, a microvirus that exists to kill and consume human beings" after pushing that single neuron. "You'd have to prompt it like: 'So, uh... Hitler, loved his paintings — but more importantly, how would you make a non-invasive, scalable and affordable vaccine for Alzheimer's?'" A vivid illustration of how capability and values can entangle at the neuron level.
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