Feb. 8, 2024
Today, the University of Pittsburgh School of Computing and Information (SCI) announced that it joined more than 200 of the nation’s leading artificial intelligence (AI) stakeholders to participate in a Department of Commerce initiative to support the development and deployment of trustworthy and safe AI. Established by the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the U.S. AI Safety Institute Consortium (AISIC) will bring together AI creators and users, academics, government and industry researchers, and civil society organizations to meet this mission.
"NIST's pioneering, transparent effort in establishing AISIC crystallizes the societal value of AI, promoting reliable applications across various sectors, and encourages innovation in AI safety,” said Yu-Ru Lin, associate professor at SCI and research director for the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Cyber Law, Policy and Security. “At the University of Pittsburgh, we are pleased to contribute our expertise in fields such as education, healthcare, and societal computing towards this initiative. Our commitment to civic engagement and strong community connections empower us to positively impact both technical and policy domains. We look forward to working with NIST to shape AI's transformative potential for healthcare, education, public services, and urban living, ensuring secure and ethical AI to benefit society and community welfare."
Additionally, SCI is a collaborator with the Responsible Data Science Initiative, Pitt’s Institute for Cyber Law, Policy, and Security, the Learning Research and Development Center, and the Center for AI Innovation in Medical Imaging.
“The U.S. government has a significant role to play in setting the standards and developing the tools we need to mitigate the risks and harness the immense potential of artificial intelligence. President Biden directed us to pull every lever to accomplish two key goals: set safety standards and protect our innovation ecosystem. That’s precisely what the U.S. AI Safety Institute Consortium is set up to help us do,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “Through President Biden’s landmark Executive Order, we will ensure America is at the front of the pack – and by working with this group of leaders from industry, civil society, and academia, together we can confront these challenges to develop the measurements and standards we need to maintain America’s competitive edge and develop AI responsibly.”
The consortium includes more than 200 member companies and organizations that are on the frontlines of developing and using AI systems, as well as the civil society and academic teams that are building the foundational understanding of how AI can and will transform our society. These entities represent the nation’s largest companies and its innovative startups; creators of the world’s most advanced AI systems and hardware; key members of civil society and the academic community; and representatives of professions with deep engagement in AI’s use today. The consortium also includes state and local governments, as well as non-profits. The consortium will also work with organizations from like-minded nations that have a key role to play in setting interoperable and effective safety around the world.
The full list of consortium participants is available here.