A bipartisan group of senators is asking the Senate Appropriations Committee for $10 million of funding to help establish the U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (USAISI) within the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as part of the fiscal 2024 funding legislation.
The request for USAISI funding came in a Jan. 5 letter signed by Sens. Todd Young, R-Ind., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Mike Rounds, R-S.D., and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.
“The rapid advancement of AI innovation has brought forth immense possibilities and opportunities,” the senators said. “However, with these advancements come potential challenges and risks that must be addressed in a safe manner.”
“The USAISI aims to provide a dedicated platform for research, collaboration, and implementation of safety measures in AI development,” they said.
The senators said the requested funding would be used to help accelerate the facility’s testing environments, fund joint research ventures, and support AI coordination with the private sector.
“NIST will use the funding to enhance its team with experts in red teaming and capability evaluation, support the formation of a Joint Research Center for advancing AI system evaluation techniques and safety research, and support the USAISI Consortium that will play a crucial role in integrating these advancements into industry and society,” they said.
The USAISI was created following the AI Safety Summit in the United Kingdom last month, where 28 different countries came together to sign the Bletchley Declaration that focuses on supporting global AI safety goals.
“By fostering an environment of collaboration, the institute will facilitate the exchange of ideas and knowledge, leading to more comprehensive and effective innovation and safety policies. Public education and awareness about AI will also be imperative to the successful development of the technology in the U.S. and across the world,” added the Senators.
“The USAISI can play a pivotal role in this educational endeavor by helping to demystify AI and promoting a more nuanced understanding of its potential,” they said.
