[Career review] “Machine Learning PhDs” by Richard Batty

We explain why it’s a high-impact area, how to work out if it’s for you, and exactly how and where to apply. Narrated by AI. ---Outline:(00:09) AI is improving rapidly. Here's how to learn the technology that's driving it.(01:57) Summary(02:27) Pros(02:45) Cons(03:03) Key facts on fit(03:15) Next steps(03:38) Recommended(03:47) Review status(03:52) What this profile is based on(04:21) What is this career path?(05:56) What does the work involve? What is it like day-to-day?(07:01) If you want to have a positive impact, why do a machine learning PhD?(07:07) 1. Learn about perhaps the most important technology of the next decade(09:08) 2. Work on positively shaping the development of artificial intelligence(09:41) Technical safety research(10:07) Policy and strategy research(10:38) Want to work on positively shaping the development of AI? We want to help.(10:56) 3. Apply machine learning to other socially important problems(12:22) 4. High-earning back-up options(14:20) 5. Intellectually interesting work with a lot of autonomy(14:37) Downsides(14:40) 1. Tough for mental health(15:13) 2. Takes a long time(15:44) 3. Machine learning may become a lot more competitive(16:17) How do you get in?(17:40) How to show you can do good research(20:41) How to work out whether the PhD would be right for you(21:05) How to test your fit(22:20) Should I do something else instead?(24:16) Options similar to a machine learning PhD(24:49) How to choose your programme(24:53) Which research group and institution?(28:23) Which topic?(28:31) Deep learning(29:23) Reinforcement learning(30:11) Applications(30:49) Get industry experience during your PhD(31:50) How to get machine learning experience while doing a non-machine learning PhD(32:23) Learn more(32:26) Top recommendations(32:47) Further recommendations(34:04) Want to use an ML PhD to make the world a better place? We want to help. The original text contained 22 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- First published: June 19th, 2017 Source: https://80000hours.org/career-reviews/machine-learning-phd --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.