The MLA is joining more than 200 of the nation’s leading artificial intelligence (AI) stakeholders to participate in a US Department of Commerce initiative to support the development and deployment of trustworthy and safe AI. Established by the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on 8 February 2024, the US AI Safety Institute Consortium (AISIC) brings together AI creators and users, academics, government and industry researchers, and civil society organizations to meet this mission.
“We look forward to being a part of this important national effort to shape responsible AI,” said Paula Krebs, the executive director of the MLA. “The MLA’s participation in the consortium extends the vital work of the MLA-CCCC Joint Task Force on Writing and AI, which has been leading the way in creating guidance to help college and university instructors and administrators support critical AI literacy.”
The MLA-sponsored team will be led by Katherine Elkins and Jon Chun at Kenyon College. The team will evaluate model capabilities with a special focus on linguistic edge cases and ethical frameworks.
The AISIC includes companies and organizations on the front lines of developing and using AI systems as well as the civil society and academic teams building the foundational understanding AI’s potential to transform our society. Consortium members represent the nation’s largest companies and innovative startups; creators of the world’s most advanced AI systems and hardware; representatives of professions with deep engagement in AI’s use today; state and local governments; and nonprofits. The consortium will also work with organizations from other nations in order to establish interoperable and effective safety around the world.
View a full list of consortium participants.