CREATE AI Act: Democratizing AI Research and Development
The CREATE AI Act, introduced by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich, Todd Young, Cory Booker, and Mike Rounds, aims to establish the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR), a groundbreaking initiative to democratize AI research and development in the United States.
Key Objectives
1. Democratizing AI Development: The NAIRR will provide free or low-cost access to datasets and computing resources, enabling a wider range of researchers to participate in AI innovation.
2. Advancing American Innovation: By making AI resources more accessible, the act aims to unleash American innovation in various fields, including science, engineering, medicine, and agriculture.
3. Promoting Trustworthy AI: The NAIRR will serve as a testbed for developing and implementing trustworthy AI practices.
Addressing the Current Landscape
The CREATE AI Act responds to the significant disparity in AI research capabilities between large tech companies and other institutions:
● Major companies like Google and Meta invest tens of billions of dollars annually in AI research and development.
● Even well-resourced universities struggle to keep pace with industry-led AI research.
● The current state of AI development is highly centralized due to substantial data and computational requirements.
Implementation and Structure
● The National Science Foundation (NSF) will oversee the NAIRR through a program management office.
● An interagency steering committee will be created to guide the initiative.
● Day-to-day operations, including resource procurement, will be managed by an independent non-governmental entity, selected through a competitive process.
Eligibility and Access
● Researchers at higher education institutions and certain small businesses receiving executive branch funding will be eligible to use the NAIRR.
● Time allocations on the NAIRR will be awarded through a merit-based process.
● Additional time can be rented for researchers requiring more resources.
Funding and Resources
● The NSF will be the primary entity for appropriations, funding the NAIRR through the $1 billion per year authorized under the National AI Initiative Act.
● Other agencies can contribute in-kind resources based on their respective appropriations.
Significance and Timing
The CREATE AI Act comes at a crucial time for AI research in the United States:
● The NSF is developing a pilot project for the NAIRR, with initial operations set to begin in FY2024, pending congressional appropriations.
● Without full authorization and approval, American leadership in academic AI research could be at risk.
● Other countries, such as the UK and China, are making significant investments in public sector AI infrastructure.
By establishing the NAIRR, the CREATE AI Act aims to ensure that the United States remains at the forefront of AI innovation while promoting responsible and accessible AI development across various sectors of society.
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Sources:
National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR)