What You Should Know:
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), alongside a diverse coalition of government agencies, industry leaders, and non-profit organizations, has launched the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) pilot.
The NAIRR pilot marks a significant step towards a future where AI benefits everyone. By democratizing access to critical resources, fostering collaboration, and prioritizing responsible development, the NAIRR has the potential to unlock transformative innovations and solidify America’s position as a global leader in the responsible AI revolution.
Unleashing Potential, Accelerating Progress
The NAIRR pilot brings together over 35 partners spanning academia, industry, and government. This collaborative effort aims to:
- Provide U.S.-based researchers and educators with advanced computing power, datasets, models, software, training, and user support. This democratizes access to crucial resources, empowering researchers across the country to pursue cutting-edge AI projects.
- Drive progress in responsible AI development. The pilot prioritizes research on safe, secure, and trustworthy AI, ensuring ethical considerations are at the forefront of innovation.
- Address real-world challenges. Initial efforts will focus on applying AI to healthcare, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure improvement, tackling societal issues with groundbreaking solutions.
- Inform the design of a full-fledged NAIRR ecosystem. The pilot serves as a proof of concept, paving the way for future investments that will solidify America’s global leadership in responsible AI development.
Four Pillars of Progress
The NAIRR pilot operates through four dedicated focus areas:
- NAIRR Open: Encourages open AI research by providing access to diverse resources through a centralized portal and coordinated allocations.
- NAIRR Secure: Led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Energy (DOE), this sector facilitates secure and privacy-preserving AI research.
- NAIRR Software: Streamlines the interoperability of AI software, platforms, and tools across the platform.
- NAIRR Classroom: Expands reach by equipping educators with resources and training for responsible AI education and outreach.
A Call to Action
This initiative aligns with President Biden’s Executive Order on Safe and Secure AI, highlighting the nation’s commitment to ethical and responsible AI development. Researchers can begin applying for initial access to NAIRR pilot resources through the official website: www.nairrpilot.org. A broader call for proposals will be issued in Spring 2024, inviting wider participation and maximizing the impact of this groundbreaking resource.
“The breadth of partners that have come together for this pilot underscores the urgency of developing a National AI Research Resource for the future of AI in America,” said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. “By investing in AI research through the NAIRR pilot, the United States unleashes discovery and impact and bolsters its global competitiveness. To continue leading in AI research and development, we must create opportunities across the country to advance AI innovation and strengthen educational opportunities, empowering the nation to shape international standards and igniting economic growth. NSF is proud to lead this effort with our current and future partners.”
