OpenAI and Anthropic partner with the US government to share their models for AI research

AI startups OpenAI and Anthropic have signed agreements with the U.S. government to advance research, testing, and evaluation of their artificial intelligence models, the U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute said on Thursday.

These landmark agreements come at a time when both companies are under increased scrutiny regarding the safe and ethical use of AI technologies.

As part of the agreements, the U.S. AI Safety Institute will gain early access to new models from OpenAI and Anthropic, both before and after they are made publicly available. The partnerships will also facilitate joint research to assess the capabilities and potential risks associated with these AI models, Reuters reported.

“We believe the institute plays a key role in establishing U.S. leadership in the responsible development of artificial intelligence, and we hope our collaboration sets a standard that others can follow,” said Jason Kwon, Chief Strategy Officer at OpenAI.

Elizabeth Kelly, Director of the U.S. AI Safety Institute, added, “These agreements represent an important milestone as we work to guide the future of AI responsibly.”

The U.S. AI Safety Institute was established last year under an executive order from President Joe Biden aimed at creating new AI safety standards and safeguards. This directive calls for safety assessments, guidance on equity and civil rights, and research into AI’s impact on employment.

Launched last year under an executive order by President Joe Biden, the U.S. AI Safety Institute was created to establish new AI safety standards and safeguards. The directive includes safety assessments, guidance on equity and civil rights, and research into AI’s impact on employment.

The institute, part of the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), will also work closely with the U.K. AI Safety Institute and offer feedback to the companies on potential safety enhancements.

Founded in 2015 by Sam Altman and Elon Musk, OpenAI began as a nonprofit research organization dedicated to advancing safe and beneficial artificial general intelligence (AGI). However, in 2020, it transitioned into a commercial entity, marking a pivotal change in its path. Despite facing internal turmoil in November, including Altman’s brief departure and subsequent return, OpenAI continues to lead the dynamic AI market, driven by the success of its flagship product, ChatGPT, launched in 2022.