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The New NAIRR Pilot: Expanding Access to AI Research

NAIRR Pilot Image

In a groundbreaking move towards democratising access to artificial intelligence (AI) research, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and a consortium of federal agencies have joined forces with leading private sector, non-profit, and philanthropic organisations to launch the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) pilot. This monumental initiative marks a significant step towards fostering responsible AI innovation and broadening access to the tools and resources essential for breakthroughs in AI technology.

The NAIRR Pilot, a brainchild of the NSF and a testament to its commitment to advancing scientific frontiers, aims to create a shared research infrastructure that empowers researchers and educators across the United States. By collaborating with ten federal agencies and partnering with 25 private sector organisations, non-profits, and philanthropic entities, the NAIRR pilot is set to revolutionise the AI research and development landscape.

The Core of NAIRR Pilot

At the heart of the NAIRR pilot lies the mission to provide researchers and educators with unfettered access to a comprehensive suite of AI resources, including advanced computing capabilities, extensive datasets, cutting-edge models, powerful software, and dedicated training and support. This unprecedented coalition of government and industry partners is designed to catalyse innovative AI research, promote cross-sector collaboration, and stimulate economic growth by opening new markets and revenue streams.

This pilot project represents a crucial proof of concept aimed at igniting the investment required to realise the full vision of NAIRR. Sethuraman Panchanathan, Director of the NSF, emphasised, “By investing in AI research through the NAIRR pilot, the United States unleashes discovery and impact and bolsters its global competitiveness.”

Arati Prabhakar, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, echoed these sentiments, stating, “The National AI Research Resource pilot will give researchers access to critical data and compute, catalysing action to achieve America’s great aspirations.“

The Four Pillars of NAIRR Operations

The NAIRR pilot is organised into four distinct focus areas, each playing a vital role in the democratisation of AI research:

  1. NAIRR Open: This project enables open AI research by granting access to diverse AI resources through the NAIRR Pilot Portal and coordinated allocations. It encourages a collaborative environment where researchers can explore AI’s vast potential.
  2. NAIRR Secure: Co-led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), NAIRR Secure focuses on AI research that requires privacy and security-preserving resources. It assembles exemplary privacy-preserving resources, addressing one of the critical concerns in AI development.
  3. NAIRR Software: Interoperability is essential in the AI research landscape. NAIRR Software facilitates and investigates the inter-operable use of AI software, platforms, tools, and services, ensuring researchers have access to a seamless ecosystem.
  4. NAIRR Classroom: To reach new communities and foster education, training, user support, and outreach, NAIRR Classroom serves as a bridge to bring AI knowledge and resources to those who might otherwise be excluded from this transformative field.

The Road to NAIRR Pilot

The genesis of the NAIRR pilot can be traced back to Executive Order 14110, signed by President Joe Biden in October 2023. The executive order directed the NSF to launch a pilot within 90 days, leading to the birth of this groundbreaking initiative. As the pilot takes off, it paves the way for future investments to democratise access to AI innovation and advance the development of trustworthy AI.

Researchers eager to harness the power of NAIRR pilot resources can now apply for initial access through the NAIRR pilot portal. Furthermore, a broader call for research proposals from the academic and research communities is scheduled for release in spring 2024. This second call will provide a mechanism for researchers to access the full spectrum of NAIRR pilot resources the consortium’s partners contributed.

A Coalition of Visionaries

The NAIRR pilot’s success is indebted to the collaboration of many stakeholders, including government agencies and giants of the tech industry. Current government partners, alongside the NSF, include the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), NASA, NIH, The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

The private sector, non-profit, and philanthropy partners also play a pivotal role in this collaborative endeavour. Names like Google, IBM, Meta, Microsoft, NVIDIA, OpenAI, and others contribute to the wealth of expertise and resources to propel the NAIRR pilot towards its ambitious goals.

NVIDIA’s $30 Million Commitment

One standout contributor to the NAIRR pilot is NVIDIA, which has pledged a substantial commitment of $30 million in technology contributions over two years. This injection of resources will significantly expand the scale and impact of the pilot, furthering the potential for groundbreaking achievements in the field of AI.

NVIDIA’s contribution includes providing NVIDIA DGX Cloud AI supercomputing resources and NVIDIA AI Enterprise software. These resources will enable researchers to harness the power of accelerated computing and accelerate the development of AI applications.

Jensen Huang, the Founder and CEO of NVIDIA, emphasised the importance of broad access to AI capabilities, stating, “AI is increasingly defining our era, and its potential can best be fulfilled with broad access to its transformative capabilities.”

A Vision for the Future

The NAIRR pilot marks a historic milestone in AI research, bringing together diverse stakeholders and resources to fuel the nation’s AI ambitions. This initiative promises to drive advancements across healthcare, environmental science, and infrastructure sustainability by democratising access to AI innovation. It positions the United States at the forefront of global AI advancements, ensuring that the benefits of AI are accessible to all.

As the NAIRR pilot takes flight, it sets the stage for a future where AI research is inclusive, innovative, and dedicated to the greater good. With its collaborative spirit and ambitious vision, this initiative has the potential to reshape the future of AI and drive progress that benefits society as a whole.

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