Today, a news piece that grabs the attention of anyone following the tech world: the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has allocated a substantial $6 million to Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). This investment aims to create a cooperative research center dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI), a subject that continues to revolutionize our way of living and working. Located on the Pittsburgh campus, the new center intends to support collaborative research and experimentation, as well as test and evaluate modern AI capabilities and tools.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo has stated that AI is "the defining technology of our generation." This recognition of the importance of AI in the current context underscores the necessity to collaborate with world-class academic institutions like CMU to ensure a safe and reliable development of AI. Raimondo expressed her enthusiasm for this investment, which not only aims to promote research on AI systems but also to train a new generation of scientists and engineers who will contribute to American innovation globally.
The research center, named CMU/NIST AI Measurement Science & Engineering Cooperative Research Center, will focus particularly on AI risk management and evaluation methodologies. In an era where AI permeates various aspects of our lives, it is crucial to develop effective assessment and risk management practices, collaborating with the different stakeholders involved.
The Importance of AI Research
This initiative fits into a broader context, where AI research is becoming increasingly fundamental to ensure that systems are not only innovative but also safe and transparent. NIST Director Laurie E. Locascio emphasized how this new center will contribute to expanding the knowledge base and fundamental research capabilities in AI. The project aims to strengthen the understanding of foundational AI models and support both research and new researchers in this rapidly evolving field.
The center will focus on foundational research and the development of tools, metrics, and evaluation procedures for AI systems. These efforts aim to provide AI builders with best practices for engineering safe and reliable AI systems. It will be crucial to align the center's activities with NIST's priorities to ensure that new technologies come equipped with better methods for measuring validity, reliability, safety, privacy, and security, as well as ensuring accountability, transparency, and fairness.
Additional Information
The funding received by CMU is part of the Measurement Science and Engineering Research Grant Program by NIST, which supports collaborative research aligned with NIST’s research objectives. This program is essential for developing a diverse pool of scientists and engineers, thereby contributing to the advancement of measurement science and standards.
The work conducted by the new center will also support the NIST AI Innovation Lab (NAIIL), an integral part of NIST's broader efforts in fundamental AI measurement research and guideline development.
Glossary
- AI: Artificial Intelligence
- CMU: Carnegie Mellon University
- NAIIL: NIST AI Innovation Lab
- NIST: National Institute of Standards and Technology
