arXiv AI By Andrew W. Lo, Chaoyi Zhao

Adapting the Process of Adaptation: Darwinian, Lamarckian, and Agent-Directed Evolution in AI

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The paper presents a theoretical framework comparing three evolutionary paradigms—Darwinian, Lamarckian, and agent-directed evolution—in the context of AI. It shows that when learning is effective, agent-directed evolution can accelerate adaptation by generating and evaluating behavioral variants, but this speed can also lead to convergence on misspecified objectives. The authors argue that independent evaluation and oversight are essential to ensure that AI’s self-directed improvements remain aligned with intended goals.

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