As part of a broader push to keep the USA on the cutting edge of AI, the Biden Administration has launched an initiative to make more government data available to artificial intelligence researchers.

The National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Task Force (NAIRR) a group of 12 members from academia, government, and industry led by officials from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Science Foundation, will draft a strategy for creating an AI research resource that could, in part, give researchers secure access to stores of anonymous data about Americans, from demographics to health and driving habits.

They would also look to make available computing power to analyze the data, with the goal of allowing access to researchers across the country.

“This is a moment that is calling us to be strengthening our speed and scale” when it comes to advances in AI technology, said National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. “It is also calling us to make sure that innovation is everywhere.”

The task force, which Congress mandated in the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020, is part of an effort across the government to ensure the U.S. remains at the vanguard of technological advancements.

“America’s economic prosperity hinges on foundational investments in our technological leadership,” said Science Advisor to the President and OSTP Director Eric Lander. “The National AI Research Resource will expand access to the resources and tools that fuel AI research and development, opening opportunities for bright minds from across America to pursue the next breakthroughs in science and technology.”

“NSF is delighted to co-chair the National AI Research Resource Task Force, which has the essential role of envisioning the research infrastructure that will drive future innovations in AI,” added NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan.

“By bringing together the nation’s foremost experts from academia, industry, and government, we will be able to chart an exciting and compelling path forward, ensuring long-term U.S. competitiveness in all fields of science and engineering and all sectors of our economy.”

The following technical experts, representing government, higher education and private organizations, will serve on the task force:

  • Erwin Gianchandani, NSF (Co-Chair)
  • Lynne Parker, OSTP (Co-Chair)
  • Daniela Braga, DefinedCrowd
  • Mark Dean, retired (formerly IBM and University of Tennessee, Knoxville)
  • Oren Etzioni, Allen Institute for AI
  • Julia Lane, New York University
  • Fei Fei Li, Stanford University
  • Andrew Moore, Google
  • Michael Norman, University of California, San Diego
  • Dan Stanzione, The University of Texas at Austin
  • Frederick Streitz, Department of Energy
  • Elham Tabassi, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Public input on the vision for and implementation of NAIRR will be sought, including through a forthcoming request for information to be posted to the Federal Register.