The United States Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has awarded a $6 million grant to Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to establish a cutting-edge AI research center. The announcement, made by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, marks a pivotal step in advancing the safe and responsible development of AI technologies.
The new CMU/NIST AI Measurement Science & Engineering Cooperative Research Center (AIMSEC) will be housed on CMU’s campus in Pittsburgh. This joint initiative aims to support cooperative research and experimentation for testing and evaluating modern AI capabilities and tools.
“Artificial intelligence is the defining technology of our generation,” Secretary Raimondo stated, emphasizing the Commerce Department’s commitment to working with top-tier educational institutions like CMU to promote the safe, secure, and trustworthy development of AI.
Advancing AI Risk Management and Evaluation
The center’s primary focus will be on advancing AI risk management practices and evaluation approaches. It will develop AI system-level tooling, metrics, evaluation procedures, and best practices to help AI developers consistently engineer safe systems. Key areas of research will include:
- Measuring validity, reliability, safety, privacy, and security in AI systems
- Enhancing accountability, transparency, fairness, and explainability
- Evaluating generative AI at various stages of development and deployment
Carnegie Mellon’s Expertise in AI
CMU, renowned for its pioneering work in AI technology development and ethics, brings a wealth of expertise to this partnership. The university plans to coordinate efforts across several existing research centers, including:
- The Block Center for Technology and Society
- The CMU Foundation and Language Model (FLAME) Center
- The National Center for Calibrated Trust, Measurement and Evaluation (CaTE)
- The Artificial Intelligence Security Incident Response Team (AISIRT)
CMU President Farnam Jahanian expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “The work of the center will lead to the development of standards and tools… equipping American businesses, researchers, leaders, and consumers to better understand and trust emerging technologies.”
Fostering the Next Generation of AI Researchers
The grant, awarded through NIST’s Measurement Science and Engineering Research Grant Program, also aims to develop a diverse, world-class pool of scientists and engineers. This initiative will engage researchers in measurement science and standards, promoting a deeper understanding of these crucial aspects of AI development.
Looking Ahead
As AI continues to revolutionize industries across the board, the establishment of AIMSEC represents a critical step in ensuring that these advancements are safe, reliable, and equitable. With this significant investment and collaboration between NIST and CMU, the United States is positioned to maintain its leadership in AI innovation while prioritizing the responsible development and deployment of these transformative technologies.
The center’s work is expected to have extensive implications for various sectors, including human services, education, finance, transportation, and energy, as it translates assessment capabilities and methodologies into practical applications.
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