In the Weights is your new AI-centric vanity search

In a digital landscape where searching for oneself online has become less illuminating, two innovators, Thomas Dimson and Joey Flynn, have launched a fresh approach with their website, In the Weights. This platform dives into the realm of artificial intelligence, focusing on how well AI models can recall information about individuals without relying on traditional web searches. The term "weights" refers to the numerical parameters that influence an AI model's training and output. In the Weights aims to quantify an individual's significance in the development of advanced AI systems. According to the site, being included in these weights implies that your presence has been recognized as noteworthy in the context of creating superhuman AI. To gather information, In the Weights queries various AI models, such as Grok, Gemini, and multiple iterations of GPT, posing questions like, "Who is <name>?" The site compiles and clusters the responses, assigning a strength score based on the consistency and quality of the descriptions. For instance, a tech blogger discovered a strength score of 641, placing them in the upper 6% of names evaluated. However, they quickly noted that several colleagues from TechCrunch had even higher scores. The leaderboard remains dynamic, with notable figures like Macaulay Culkin leading with a strength score of 988, followed closely by legendary opera singer Luciano Pavarotti. The results not only reveal which models provided answers for each name but also highlight instances of inaccurate or misleading information, known as hallucinations. For example, one model mistakenly categorized a name as ambiguous, suggesting it could refer to multiple individuals. Dimson shared insights into the motivation behind In the Weights, explaining that he and Flynn sought to reignite their creativity after their tenure at OpenAI, which followed the acquisition of their design startup, Global Illumination. He reflected on how traditional vanity searches are becoming less relevant as more users turn to large language models (LLMs) for information. The idea for the site was inspired by a playful blog post that connected AI weights with Terry Bisson's classic short story about sentient beings. Initially perceived as a light-hearted exploration, the reception has exceeded expectations, tapping into a collective curiosity about one’s digital legacy in the age of AI. While the notion of being "remembered" by chatbots may not confer true immortality, the competitive aspect of comparing scores has proven to be both fascinating and, for some, a source of envy. Furthermore, the site’s retro, Nintendo-inspired design adds a charming touch to the user experience. Looking ahead, Dimson expressed plans to investigate why different AI models yield varying results and to explore biases within these models, as well as uncovering individuals who deserve a Wikipedia entry but lack one.