Summary#
This bill creates the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR). The National Science Foundation (NSF), working with a new NAIRR Steering Subcommittee led by the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), must set up a Program Management Office to run the NAIRR within one year. The NSF will select a nongovernmental Operating Entity through competition to carry out day-to-day operations. The NAIRR is meant to provide compute (on-premises, cloud, hybrid), an open-source software environment, APIs to models, curated data repositories, an "open data commons," AI testbeds, and educational and training tools. The NAIRR will publish rules, monitor performance with key performance indicators, produce annual public reports, and undergo independent periodic assessment. User rules limit access to researchers, educators, students, certain small businesses, federally funded research centers, nonprofits, and Federal agencies based in the United States; some individuals affiliated with foreign countries listed under certain U.S. law are excluded. The Operating Entity must follow privacy, ethics, safety, security, scientific integrity, and research-security requirements. The NAIRR may charge fees (including a required free tier), accept donations, and rely on appropriations and interagency contributions.
What it means for you#
- Researchers, educators, and students at eligible U.S.-based institutions may be able to use shared high-performance compute, data, and testbeds for AI research.
- Access requires affiliation with an eligible entity and meeting security and ethics review requirements.
- There may be a free access tier; other access can carry fees set by the Operating Entity.
- The NAIRR will offer training and user support and publish information about available resources.
- Entities such as universities, nonprofits, certain small businesses, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, and Federal agencies can seek to provide or use NAIRR resources.
Expenses#
- No publicly available information on total costs or specific appropriation amounts is provided in the bill text.
- The bill says resources are subject to availability of appropriations and allows NAIRR to accept donations and retain fees it charges.
- The Program Management Office must include at least three full-time employees; other staffing, procurement, and resource costs are to be determined through implementation and funding decisions.
Proponents' View#
- The bill’s findings say advanced AI research needs access to compute and large datasets and that those resources are often limited to very large companies.
- Supporters argue creating the NAIRR will broaden access, increase diversity in AI research, spur innovation, improve capacity for AI research, and help the United States maintain leadership in AI.
- The bill follows a January 24, 2023 task force report recommending a national AI research resource.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.