Mechanistic Mind

About the Author

Hello!

I’m Andrew Keenan Richardson, the author and maintainer of this site. I’m not sure how you found this site or why you’re reading this, but here you go.

I look like this

What I Work On

I’ve recently started work on more clever reasoning models at Imbue.

Formerly, I worked as an ML engineer at Astera, where I focused on brain-inspired AI. I worked with neuroscientists on the one hand and ML engineers on the other hand to investigate and implement new types of machine learning algorithm.

My past career was in NLP and conversational systems at the Google Assistant.

Message Me About

I would be excited to talk with you about:

  • Neuroscience-inspired ML including spiking NNs and biologically plausible alternatives to backpropagation
  • Big picture questions about the functional components of intelligence
  • Automated reasoning, including argument formulation and cognitive backtracking algorithms
  • LLM code generation
  • The role of RL, long term memory, and tool use in LLM models

Neural networks are historically inspired by neuroscience, but there are still some striking differences. Foremost among them, the brain doesn’t use error backpropagation, and it’s unclear what algorithm takes that place. The brain also has some features whose purpose seems unclear, such as spiking action potentials and a very high dimensional neuron model. It’s clear that the brain works well, and it works very differently from modern ML, so I’m optimistic that there are major innovations left to find.

Personal Interests

Outside of work, I’m passionate about effective altruism, self improvement, and learning about the world. I love to read, go hiking, and play tabletop RPGs.

Me Elsewhere

Find me on the socials: