Jeremy Howard
All AI mindsJeremy Howard, full AI read
Jeremy Howard, Co-founder, fast.ai; CEO, Answer.AI, fast.ai / Answer.AI (Australia), ranks #66/520 on the AI Advancement Index (79.2). Known for Co-author of ULMFiT (transfer learning for NLP); co-founder of fast.ai, democratizing deep learning education; founder of Answer.AI. Strongest on Field-building (90.0, Leading).
Dimension read
| Dimension | Value | Standing | What a high vs low value means, and where Jeremy Howard sits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAI AI Advancement (AAI) | 79.2 | Strong · #66/520 | High here, among the very top minds advancing AI. ▲ high: among the very top minds advancing AI · ▼ low: lower relative influence within this elite set |
| Research influence Research influence | 76.0 | Moderate · #224/520 | Mid-pack. High would mean field-defining research contributions; low would mean limited direct research influence. ▲ high: field-defining research contributions · ▼ low: limited direct research influence |
| Frontier role Frontier role | 66.0 | Moderate · #272/520 | Mid-pack. High would mean central to building today's frontier AI; low would mean removed from frontier development. ▲ high: central to building today's frontier AI · ▼ low: removed from frontier development |
| Thought leadership Thought leadership | 86.0 | Leading · #26/520 | High here, shapes how the field and public think about AI. ▲ high: shapes how the field and public think about AI · ▼ low: limited public/field influence |
| Field-building Field-building | 90.0 | Leading · #16/520 | High here, builds the field, mentorship, institutions, tools, community. ▲ high: builds the field, mentorship, institutions, tools, community · ▼ low: limited field-building footprint |
| Momentum Momentum | 82.0 | Strong · #147/520 | High here, driving AI's advancement right now. ▲ high: driving AI's advancement right now · ▼ low: less active at the current frontier |
Strengths
- Field-building (90.0, Leading), builds the field, mentorship, institutions, tools, community.
- Thought leadership (86.0, Leading), shapes how the field and public think about AI.
- Momentum (82.0, Strong), driving AI's advancement right now.
Risk factors
- A significant, well-rounded contributor to AI's advancement.
AI worldview
Ideas & positions
Jeremy Howard is a strong advocate for democratizing access to AI education and tools, as evidenced by his co-founding of fast.ai, which provides free, high-quality deep learning courses. He emphasizes the importance of transfer learning and the practical application of AI in real-world scenarios, as seen in his co-authorship of ULMFiT. Howard has also been vocal about the need for transparency and openness in AI development, supporting the idea that AI should be a tool for everyone, not just a select few. He has not taken a definitive public stance on existential risk but has expressed concerns about the concentration of power in the hands of a few large tech companies. He advocates for a balance between innovation and regulation to ensure that AI benefits society as a whole.
What shapes the view
Howard's views are shaped by his background in data science and his experience in founding and leading companies that focus on making AI accessible. His work with fast.ai reflects a belief in the power of education to democratize technology. He is also influenced by the economic implications of AI, particularly in terms of automation and its impact on labor markets. Howard's advocacy for open models and transparency is driven by a desire to prevent the monopolization of AI technology by a few dominant players.
The AI-powered future they see
Howard envisions a future where AI is widely accessible and used to solve complex problems across various domains, from healthcare to environmental conservation. He promotes the idea that AI can empower individuals and organizations to make more informed decisions and drive positive change. However, he also warns about the potential for AI to exacerbate existing inequalities if not managed properly, advocating for policies that ensure equitable access and use of AI technologies.