OpenAI, which is backed by tech giant Microsoft, has announced 10 grants worth $100,000 each to fund experimentation in the creation of a democratic decision-making system for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). This initiative aims to gather feedback from a diverse range of voices on how AI should behave and function. The company believes that involving everyone in decision-making related to Artificial Intelligence is a key step in making sure it benefits all of humanity. The deadline for grant applications is 24th June 2021.
Headed by Sam Altman, OpenAI has also recently launched a $175 million investment fund to empower AI startups. The investment fund was supported by Microsoft and other investors. On top of this, the company closed a $300 million share sale at a valuation comprised between $27-$29 billion.
OpenAI envisions the successful applicants of this grant to create a novel democratic platform for gathering feedback on the behaviour of AI, with an aim of engaging at least 500 people. As part of the grant, the successful applicants are also expected to publish a report by October 20, which highlights the questions relevant to decision-making, as well as the impact of the experiment on general public opinion.
OpenAI is a research laboratory founded in late 2015, primarily funded by tech industry giant Elon Musk and entrepreneur Peter Thiel to further develop AI systems. Since its establishment, OpenAI has grown more and more in terms of its research division and initiatives, becoming one of the main companies in the field of AI.
