Industry Calls for More Research Funding, Public-Private…

Key industry players call for increased federal funding and public-private partnerships in the National AI Strategy. Companies like Google, Amazon, IBM, and Anthropic urge the government to prioritize diverse investments across AI technology areas, support standards development, and enhance collaboration with academia. The appeal comes as a response to prior cancellations of NSF grants under the Trump administration aimed at fostering AI education.

Industry leaders are appealing for increased research funding and more public-private collaborations in shaping the U.S. National AI Strategy. Heavyweights like Google, IBM, Anthropic, and Amazon recently dropped comments to the Office of Science and Technology Policy, urging the federal government to enhance investments in critical technology areas that influence U.S. AI system development. They’re pushing for the government to take the reins on standards development, supporting industry and academia partnerships.

In their recommendations for the upcoming 2025 National AI R&D Strategic Plan, the companies shared a recurring message: sustained federal support is crucial for advancing the AI landscape. Google pointed out the importance of investing in algorithm and chip design while also focusing on workforce development. They proposed a comprehensive mission to educate America’s prospective scientists on emerging AI technologies, reinforcing the idea of AI as the next essential scientific tool.

Amazon chimed in, backing Google’s emphasis on multi-layered AI technology stack support. The firm highlighted its collaboration with academic institutions aimed at advancing technology such as AI, quantum computing, robotics, and semiconductors. “The federal government plays a critical role in AI research and development,” their statement noted, urgently suggesting that government action is vital to sustain U.S. leadership in AI fields.

Interestingly, IBM, while aligning with Google and Amazon, took a distinct stance on research funding priorities. They advocated for allocating resources for smaller, open-source models that can enlighten cost-effectiveness compared to large, generalized models. Addressing concerns over transformer models typically used in AI platforms, they suggested exploring alternative architectures that are more aligned with human cognition. “The federal government should prioritize research beyond transformer-based architectures,” IBM asserted.

For Anthropic, the focus should steadfastly be on continual federal funding for research, especially relating to mechanistic interpretability. They believe in leveraging AI not only as a tool but as a catalyst for scientific discovery. Their comments underscored the necessity of democratizing AI research through solid partnerships among public, private sectors, and academia, urging the National Science Foundation to continue these collaborative efforts.

All these calls for action come on the heels of significant changes during the Trump administration that led to the cancellation of various NSF grants aimed at cultivating AI education. The loss of these grants had a ripple effect, raising alarms about the long-term implications for AI research and educational initiatives. Now, industry voices are stressing the urgency of a dedicated push to reinstate and expand such support to ensure the U.S. does not fall behind in the global AI race.

In a concerted push, major players in the AI sector are calling on the U.S. government to enhance funding and partnerships to bolster the National AI Strategy. With Google, Amazon, IBM, and Anthropic emphasizing the need for sustained investment in various tech areas, they highlight the critical role of public-private collaboration in shaping the future of AI. Their collective stance focuses on securing U.S. leadership in the global arena, stressing that strong partnerships and informed standards are essential for the advancement of AI research and development.

Original Source: www.nextgov.com