In a move that could have major implications for the future of artificial intelligence (AI), a group of major AI companies have formed a consortium to research, and keep control of emerging technologies. The members of the consortium include Google, Facebook, Microsoft, IBM, and Amazon, as well as research institutions like OpenAI, Open Robotics, and the University of Toronto’s Vector Institute.
The goal of the consortium is to establish common ground on key AI topics, such as algorithmic bias, privacy, safety, security, and public trust. The aim is to create and share resources that allow for the responsible development, management, and regulation of AI technologies. In addition to the research conducted by its members, the consortium plans to form a Standards Board of multi-stakeholder representatives from both industry and academia to provide guidance and input on the future of AI policies.
The consortium also intends to promote open dialogue on AI topics among its members and the public. The group recently hosted a series of events that brought together AI developers and academics from around the world to discuss the ethical implications of AI and to present potential solutions to ensure the responsible use of these technologies.
Although the members of the consortium are all major players in the AI industry, the group’s focus will be on research, and on keeping control of AI, not on developing or marketing AI products. This distinction is important as it means that the group is not looking to commercialize AI or to control how it is used, but rather to provide a forum for members to share knowledge and come to consensus on best practices related to the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies.
The establishment of the consortium comes at a critical time, as AI technology is evolving at an unprecedented rate and has the potential to reshape our world in profound ways. By coming together, the members of the consortium are showing that they are committed to working together to ensure that AI is developed responsibly, and in a way that serves the public rather than exploiting it. As such, this consortium will be an important factor in the future of AI.
