Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI Set Up $10 million in Funding to Boost Artificial Intelligence Research

Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI under the auspices of the Model Forum Founders, have announced that they will set up a $10 million AI Safety Fund to increase good and creative artificial intelligence research.

The Frontier Model Forum is an industry focused on the advancements in AI technology and research and making sure it remains safe, secure, and still in control of humans while selecting good standards and practices. The industry also helps in facilitating information-sharing among the industry and policymakers. 

The company released a statement on Thursday about the purpose of the $10 million AI Safety Fund, it reads,

• Over the past year, the industry has driven significant advances in the capabilities of AI. As those advances have accelerated, new academic research into AI safety is required. 

• To address this gap, the Forum and philanthropic partners are creating a new AI Safety Fund, which will support independent researchers from around the world affiliated with academic institutions, research institutions, and startups.

• The initial funding commitment for the AI Safety Fund comes from Anthropic, Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI, and the generosity of our philanthropic partners and the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Eric Schmid, and Jaan Tallinn. Together this amounts to over $10 million in initial funding.

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Speaking more about the Fund, the Forum added,

• We believe that increased funding in this area will help raise safety and security standards and provide insights into the mitigations and controls that industry, governments, and civil society need to respond to the challenges presented by AI systems.

• The Fund will put out a call for proposals within the next few months. Meridian Institute will administer the Fund — their work will be supported by an advisory committee composed of independent external experts, experts from AI companies, and individuals with experience in grantmaking.