The research field focused on ensuring AI systems' behavior and goals remain consistent with human intentions and values. Simply put: making AI actually do what it "should do" — not just technically completing tasks in ways whose methods or consequences are unsatisfying or harmful.

The research and practice field focused on ensuring AI systems don't cause unintended or harmful consequences during development and deployment. Covers both technical dimensions (making AI work as designed) and social dimensions (ensuring AI's broader impacts benefit humanity).