Fei-Fei Li, renowned as the “godmother of artificial intelligence,” made an urgent appeal to President Biden during a gathering at San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel last June.
In a ballroom setting, the Stanford professor implored Biden to allocate funding for a national repository of computing power and datasets, emphasising the necessity for a “moonshot investment” to enable the nation’s top AI researchers to keep pace with technology giants.
Li revisited this call during Biden’s State of the Union address on Thursday, where she was present as a guest of Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.) to advocate for a bill aimed at financing a national AI repository.
She stands among a growing chorus of academics, policymakers, and industry veterans who argue that the exorbitant costs associated with AI research are hindering researchers’ access, thereby compromising the impartial exploration of this rapidly evolving technology.
As behemoths like Meta, Google, and Microsoft pour billions of dollars into AI development, a significant disparity is emerging, leaving even the wealthiest universities in the country lagging behind.
For instance, Meta aims to procure 350,000 specialised computer chips known as GPUs, essential for conducting massive calculations on AI models. In stark contrast, Stanford’s Natural Language Processing Group operates with a mere 68 GPUs to support all of its endeavors.
Proper after attending Situation of the Union speech #SOTU tonight, I had a transient alternate w/ President Biden @POTUS.
Me: “Mr. President, you gave a historic speech by mentioning AI within the SOTU speech for the primary time in historic previous.”@POTUS (smiling): “Sure! And proceed to maintain it secure”. 1/ pic.twitter.com/cJ7vs440forex
— Fei-Fei Li (@drfeifei) March 8, 2024
In the pursuit of the costly computing power and extensive datasets required for AI research, students often gravitate towards employment in the tech industry. Concurrently, the allure of high salaries offered by tech giants is siphoning top talent away from academia.
Tech corporations now wield significant influence over advancements in the field. In 2022, the tech sector produced 32 major machine learning models, while academics contributed only 3, marking a notable shift from 2014 when the majority of AI breakthroughs originated in universities, according to a Stanford report.
This disproportionate power dynamic is subtly reshaping the landscape of AI research, prompting scholars to tailor their studies towards commercial applications.
Just last month, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the relocation of the company’s independent AI research lab closer to its product teams, aiming to ensure “some level of alignment” between the groups, he said.
“The general public sector is now drastically lagging in belongings and experience versus that of discipline,” defined Li, a earlier Google personnel and the co-director of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI.
“This can have profound outcomes primarily as a result of business is targeted on producing know-how that’s earnings-pushed, whereas group sector AI aims are centered on creating public merchandise.”
Amidst the escalating demand for computing power and data crucial for AI research, a series of developments and challenges are reshaping the landscape of the field. Fei-Fei Li, a prominent figure in AI research, has been actively engaging with policymakers and industry leaders to address the pressing need for new funding sources.
Li’s efforts include discussions with Arati Prabhakar, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology, as well as meetings with lawmakers such as Sens. Martin Heinrich, Mike Rounds, and Todd Young.
While significant strides have been made, the disparity between academia and tech giants in AI breakthroughs is becoming increasingly evident.
In 2022, the tech sector produced 32 major machine learning models compared to only 3 by academics, a stark reversal from previous years. The trend has led to concerns about the influence of tech companies on shaping the direction of AI research, potentially steering it towards commercial interests.
To bridge the funding gap, policymakers have implemented various strategies, including the allocation of $140 million by the National Science Foundation for university-led National AI Research Institutes.
Additionally, major tech companies like Microsoft have contributed computing resources to the National AI Research Resource, alongside a $20 million donation in computing credits.
However, despite these efforts, challenges persist. The escalating demand for AI talent has driven salaries to unprecedented levels, with top researchers commanding lucrative compensation packages. The trend has also led to a significant exodus of AI PhD graduates into the private sector, leaving academia struggling to retain talent.
Furthermore, the influence of tech companies on AI research extends beyond financial incentives. With access to substantial computing power and specialised hardware, these companies have a significant advantage in driving research agendas and shaping the field’s direction.
It has also raised concerns about the independence and integrity of AI research conducted within corporate environments. In response to the challenges, calls have been made for greater transparency and collaboration between industry and academia.
As tech companies continue to blur the lines between research and product development, questions remain about the future of AI research and the extent to which it will remain independent and impartial.
