OpenAI and Anthropic have agreed to provide a U.S. government agency with early access to their major new AI model releases. This move, announced last Thursday, marks a significant step in the collaboration between tech companies and the government to assess the risks associated with powerful AI algorithms.
Why It Matters
Governments globally are increasingly focused on the potential risks posed by advanced AI technologies. By having early access, U.S. authorities can better evaluate these risks and implement necessary safeguards.
Details of the Agreement
Both OpenAI and Anthropic have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate with the U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute, part of the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology. These agreements not only grant early access to the latest AI models but also set the stage for joint research on model evaluation, safety measures, and risk mitigation strategies.
The U.S. AI Safety Institute was established under President Biden’s AI executive order, reflecting a growing emphasis on responsible AI development. Anthropic has already been collaborating with the UK AI Safety Institute, indicating a trend towards international cooperation on AI safety.
What They’re Saying
“Safety is essential to fueling breakthrough technological innovation,” said Elizabeth Kelly, director of the U.S. AI Safety Institute. “These agreements are just the start, but they are an important milestone as we work to help responsibly steward the future of AI.”
Anthropic co-founder and head of policy Jack Clark echoed these sentiments: “Safe, trustworthy AI is crucial for the technology’s positive impact. Our collaboration with the U.S. AI Safety Institute leverages their wide expertise to rigorously test our models before widespread deployment.”
OpenAI’s chief strategy officer, Jason Kwon, added, “We believe the institute has a critical role to play in defining U.S. leadership in responsibly developing artificial intelligence and hope that our work together offers a framework that the rest of the world can build on.”