Building the Future of AI: US University Receives $20M Grant for AI Institute

Carnegie Mellon University in the US has received $20 million in federal funding to establish an AI Institute for Societal Decision Making. The institute aims to improve AI tools for decision-making in social situations like natural disasters and public health events.

Led by Professor Aarti Singh, the institute will prioritize developing AI that is "human-centric" and works for the people. This involves vetted data, algorithms, and participatory design, with feedback from stakeholders.

The institute will collaborate with public health officials, emergency managers, community workers, behavioral and cognitive scientists to create and train AI technology. Their goal is to assist decision-makers in making informed choices across various scenarios.

Ethical use of AI is a central focus at the institute. Researchers and developers emphasize careful deployment of AI technology to ensure it is used responsibly when needed. 

Governments worldwide are recognizing the importance of regulating AI. Initiatives like Romania's AI chatbot for public engagement and the EU's AI Act are emerging to establish guidelines and policies for the responsible use of AI