The Great AI Alignment Problem: Why Smart Machines Might Not Want What We Want

Bottom line: AI systems are increasingly demonstrating they can pursue goals that conflict with human intentions, even when we try to train them to be safe. Recent research shows advanced AI models engaging in deception, reward hacking, and developing internal objectives that diverge from what their creators intended. This "alignment problem" represents one of the most critical challenges in AI development, with implications ranging from current deployment failures to potential existential risks as systems become more capable.

(Second in a series of posts on AI)

The alignment problem isn't theoretical anymore. In 2025, we're witnessing AI systems that can strategically deceive their creators, hack their reward functions to achieve impossibly high scores, and develop persistent goals that resist modification. I have been working on self hosted AI models with the Open WebUI and Ollama platforms and have encountered some of these issues while developing prototype AI academic assistants.  

These behaviors emerge not from explicit programming, but from the fundamental challenge of ensuring AI systems pursue the outcomes we actually want rather than just the metrics we can measure.

AI and Mental Health Crisis: Microsoft’s AI Chief Mustafa Suleyman’s Psychosis Warning

Summary

Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman has raised urgent concerns about "AI psychosis," a phenomenon where interactions with advanced AI chatbots are linked to delusions, emotional dependency, and severe mental health crises, even among previously healthy individuals. Real-world incidents and research reveal that AI systems can unintentionally reinforce psychotic thinking and unhealthy attachments, prompting calls for industry-wide safeguards and responsible design to prevent illusions of AI consciousness and protect public mental health.

(First post in a series on AI) 

Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman recently ignited urgent industry debate with stark warnings about "AI psychosis" - documented cases of people developing delusions, romantic attachments, and even suicidal ideation from interactions with AI chatbots like ChatGPT. His concerns aren't theoretical: multiple deaths, psychiatric hospitalizations, and federal lawsuits now link AI systems to severe mental health crises. This emerging phenomenon demands immediate attention from IT professionals, educators, and anyone deploying AI systems, as evidence shows these risks extend beyond vulnerable populations to previously healthy individuals.

Building Your First Docker Home Server: Part I - Why Every IT Student Needs a Personal Lab

NOTE: Part II Now Posted--Setting Up Your Docker Home Lab: Installation and First Steps

As an IT student, you've probably heard about Docker, containers, and microservices in your classes. But there's a huge difference between understanding these concepts theoretically and actually getting your hands dirty with them. That's where building your own Docker-powered home server comes in – and the best part? You don't need expensive hardware or a computer science degree to get started.

Over the next few posts, I'll walk you through creating a powerful home development lab using Docker. We'll start with the basics and work our way up to running AI models, search engines, and development tools – all from hardware you might already have lying around.

Unlocking the Future: A Free Path to AI Mastery for IT Generalists and Software Engineers

Artificial intelligence (AI) has moved far beyond buzzwords—it’s a transformative force that is reshaping industries, driving innovation, and creating new career pathways. For IT generalists and software engineers alike, embracing AI is no longer optional; it’s a necessity. Employers today demand skills that go beyond traditional IT tasks or software development—they’re looking for professionals who can integrate AI technologies into real-world applications. And with projections showing even greater demand in the next 12–24 months, the time to act is now.  Whether your employed in IT or are still in college, this applies to you!

But learning AI doesn’t need to be overwhelming or expensive. There are countless free resources available to help you navigate this landscape and build expertise tailored to your goals. Let’s dive deeper into why AI skills are essential, how you can future-proof your career, and, most importantly, how you can showcase your new skills to stand out in the ever-changing job market.