Hi there! I'm Jo. I believe we are at an inflection point in history, and I work on AI safety to help the transition go well.
As of summer 2026, I am interning at Redwood Research, working on high-stakes control. Previously, I was a MATS fellow mentored by Alex Turner and Alex Cloud as part of Team Shard. Outside of AI safety research, I study mathematics and philosophy at UChicago, where I co-started and led the AI Safety Group at XLab.
I am interested in the learning and generalization dynamics of machine learning models, especially as it pertains to (mis)alignment.
Direct feedback is very helpful, and we give it less than we should. A good friend once pointed out I made sweeping claims too easily. I was taken aback at first, but he was right that I generalized more than my evidence supported. His feedback pushed me to be more precise and grounded in my arguments. I want more of that.
If you see something I could improve on, I'd love to hear it. You can also give feedback anonymously here. And if you'd like candid feedback from me, let me know.
The thinkers, writers, and artists who have most shaped me are Immanuel Kant, Alice Munro, Jorge Luis Borges, and Judit Reigl. For me, they represent structure, restraint, imagination, and rhythm.
Meditation is a central part of my life. I practice two lineages: Vipassana in the tradition of Goenka, and Taoism, from my time at the Five Immortals Temple.
I have pledged 10% of my income to charity.
I recently took part in Temptemus Papam, a 100+ people 1492 papal conclave simulation run by Prof. Ada Palmer. I wrote many a letter, dressed up as a cardinal, and dreamed about 15th century sistine Realpolitik. It is such a joy to read Machiavelli and understand the families and city-states and the political currents that shaped his thoughts; or see a portrait by Raphael and be so moved not just by his mastery but by the subject; plus Dante, Shakespeare, Michelangelo, and so many other spectacular talents. If you think of literature, art or music that you enjoy from the Italian Renaissance, I would be delighted to hear you talk about it!