OpenAI Inc., the non-profit arm of the highly influential artificial intelligence (AI) company OpenAI LP, has recently announced a generous grant program that will offer ten grants of $100,000 each for innovative projects that explore how AI systems can incorporate democratic processes in decision-making. The “Democratic Inputs to AI” program aims to address policy questions surrounding AI model behavior, encouraging participants to propose solutions that, amongst other factors, consider nuance beyond a simple “yes” or “no” answer. Any individual or organization can apply regardless of background in social sciences or AI.
OpenAI notes that decisions about AI models’ behavior are but a few of the considerations when it comes to AI policies – guidelines for usage and economic impacts should also be part of discussions about the rules governing AI systems. Potential topics include the extent of AI assistant personalization, AI responses to questions about public figure viewpoints, AI assistance in providing medical, financial, or legal advice, or restrictions on AI content. However, the primary focus of the grant program is not to develop answers to these questions, but rather to explore methods for setting up a democratic decision-making process.
This grant program was formally launched shortly after OpenAI CEO Sam Altman spoke in a U.S. Senate hearing, in which he proposed a few ideas for AI regulation and noted the need for companies to make sure their AI models meet safety requirements. Suggested strategies include internal and external testing, as well as the implementation of licensing or registration requirements for certain AI models.
OpenAI is a company dedicated to development of beneficial AI that can accelerate humanity’s progress. The company’s stated mission is to ensure that artificial general intelligence (AGI) is developed safely and responsibly, hence its commitment to explore democratic processes in decision-making about AI models. The following words from Billionaire investor Peter Thiel summarize OpenAI’s vision: “We want to make sure that AI helps people lead better and more prosperous lives, and that it doesn’t become a form of totalitarianism.” So, OpenAI sees its grant program as yet another way of taking proactive steps towards a more equitable and transparent use of AI.
