Alignment
The ongoing work of making an AI's behavior match human intentions and values, so it is helpful, honest, and harmless.
It is the difference between a capable model and a trustworthy one.
Frequently asked questions
What does AI alignment mean?
Alignment is the ongoing work of making an AI's behavior match human intentions and values, so it stays helpful, honest, and harmless. It is what separates a merely capable model from a trustworthy one.
How is alignment different from guardrails?
Alignment is the broad goal of an AI genuinely wanting to do what people intend, while guardrails are the concrete rules and filters that enforce good behavior in practice. Guardrails are one of the tools used to keep a system aligned.
Why should a business owner care about alignment?
Because alignment is what makes an AI's output trustworthy, not just impressive, which matters the moment it touches customers, money, or your reputation. A capable but poorly aligned tool can be confidently unhelpful or harmful.
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