A bipartisan group of senators requested $10 million in funding to establish the USAISI within NIST as part of the fiscal 2024 funding legislation, but the status of this request is unclear. There have been concerns about a lack of transparency and the absence of a competitive process for planned research grants. Despite these issues, experts remain optimistic about the USAISI's role within NIST, viewing it as a positive signal of a science-forward approach.
Key takeaways:
- The Biden administration has appointed Elizabeth Kelly as the director of the new US AI Safety Institute (USAISI) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and Elham Tabassi as chief technology officer.
- The USAISI was established in November 2023 to support the responsibilities assigned to the Department of Commerce under the AI Executive Order, but there have been few details about its operation and funding.
- A bipartisan group of senators requested $10 million of funding for the USAISI in January, but the status of this request is unclear.
- Despite funding issues, experts remain optimistic about the USAISI's role within NIST, viewing it as a positive signal of a science-forward approach to AI safety and security.