back
Get SIGNAL/NOISE in your inbox daily

MIT Senior Audrey Lorvo is conducting interdisciplinary research at the intersection of AI safety, economics, and computer science to ensure artificial intelligence systems remain beneficial and reliable as they become more sophisticated.

Academic foundation and focus: Lorvo’s unique combination of computer science, economics, and data science studies, complemented by her role as a Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing scholar, provides a multifaceted perspective on AI development.

  • Her research specifically examines the potential for AI to automate its own research and development processes
  • She focuses on understanding both technical and socioeconomic implications of self-improving AI systems
  • Through the AI Safety Technical Fellowship, Lorvo has deepened her understanding of technical safety mechanisms

Interdisciplinary approach to AI safety: MIT’s comprehensive educational environment has enabled Lorvo to blend technical expertise with broader philosophical and ethical considerations.

  • The MIT Concourse program has enhanced her understanding of philosophical implications in AI development
  • Her involvement in the university’s MISTI and D-Lab has provided international perspectives on technology implementation
  • As president of MIT’s Undergraduate Economics Association, she facilitates discussions on economic impacts of AI

Research priorities and methodology: Lorvo’s work emphasizes the importance of establishing proper frameworks for AI development while carefully assessing technological advances.

  • She advocates for proactive risk assessment in AI development
  • Her research combines technical analysis with social impact evaluation
  • The work focuses on creating reliable safeguards for increasingly capable AI systems

Expanding the field: Lorvo believes AI safety research benefits from diverse perspectives and encourages broader participation in the field.

  • She emphasizes the value of combining technical and non-technical viewpoints
  • Her work demonstrates how different disciplines can contribute to AI safety
  • The research highlights the importance of considering multiple stakeholder perspectives

Future implications and research directions: As AI systems become more sophisticated, Lorvo’s interdisciplinary approach to safety research could serve as a model for future researchers and policymakers seeking to ensure responsible AI development.

  • Her post-graduation plans include continued work on AI safety and governance strategies
  • The research suggests that effective AI safety measures require collaboration across multiple fields
  • The work emphasizes the need for ongoing assessment and adaptation of safety frameworks as AI capabilities advance

Recent Stories

Oct 17, 2025

DOE fusion roadmap targets 2030s commercial deployment as AI drives $9B investment

The Department of Energy has released a new roadmap targeting commercial-scale fusion power deployment by the mid-2030s, though the plan lacks specific funding commitments and relies on scientific breakthroughs that have eluded researchers for decades. The strategy emphasizes public-private partnerships and positions AI as both a research tool and motivation for developing fusion energy to meet data centers' growing electricity demands. The big picture: The DOE's roadmap aims to "deliver the public infrastructure that supports the fusion private sector scale up in the 2030s," but acknowledges it cannot commit to specific funding levels and remains subject to Congressional appropriations. Why...

Oct 17, 2025

Tying it all together: Credo’s purple cables power the $4B AI data center boom

Credo, a Silicon Valley semiconductor company specializing in data center cables and chips, has seen its stock price more than double this year to $143.61, following a 245% surge in 2024. The company's signature purple cables, which cost between $300-$500 each, have become essential infrastructure for AI data centers, positioning Credo to capitalize on the trillion-dollar AI infrastructure expansion as hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Elon Musk's xAI rapidly build out massive computing facilities. What you should know: Credo's active electrical cables (AECs) are becoming indispensable for connecting the massive GPU clusters required for AI training and inference. The company...

Oct 17, 2025

Vatican launches Latin American AI network for human development

The Vatican hosted a two-day conference bringing together 50 global experts to explore how artificial intelligence can advance peace, social justice, and human development. The event launched the Latin American AI Network for Integral Human Development and established principles for ethical AI governance that prioritize human dignity over technological advancement. What you should know: The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Vatican's research body for social issues, organized the "Digital Rerum Novarum" conference on October 16-17, combining academic research with practical AI applications. Participants included leading experts from MIT, Microsoft, Columbia University, the UN, and major European institutions. The conference...