Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly revolutionizing our world, bringing forth remarkable advancements and innovations. From autonomous vehicles to connected Internet of Things devices in our homes, AI is transforming various aspects of our society and economy. It even plays a crucial role in the development of brain-controlled robotic arms that can restore sensation to paralyzed individuals. However, with these exciting advancements come technical challenges and potential risks. That’s where the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) steps in, contributing to the research, standards, and data necessary to harness the full potential of AI. NIST focuses on cultivating trust in AI technologies, conducting fundamental research, establishing benchmarks, leading in the development of technical AI standards, and supporting the formulation of AI policies. Their efforts aim to enhance economic security, drive American innovation, and improve our quality of life.

Artificial Intelligence: Transforming Our World

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming our world, revolutionizing and benefiting nearly all aspects of our society and economy. From commerce and healthcare to transportation and cybersecurity, AI-enabled systems have led to remarkable surges in capabilities, bringing about a wide range of innovations such as autonomous vehicles and connected Internet of Things devices in our homes. Exciting developments like a brain-controlled robotic arm that can help a paralyzed person regain sensation through direct human-brain interfaces showcase the potential of AI technologies.

However, with the new technologies AI brings, there are also technical challenges and risks that need to be addressed. That’s where the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) comes in. NIST plays a crucial role in contributing to the research, standards, and data required to maximize the potential of AI as a tool for American innovation, economic security, and improved quality of life.

Overview of Artificial Intelligence

The rapid transformation and advancements in AI capabilities have had a significant impact on our world. The development of AI-enabled systems has revolutionized various sectors, including commerce, healthcare, transportation, and cybersecurity. From autonomous vehicles to connected Internet of Things devices, AI has become a driving force behind innovation and progress.

However, with these advancements come challenges and risks. AI technologies need to be carefully developed and implemented to ensure their trustworthiness and responsible use. As AI continues to shape our world, it is essential to understand its capabilities, limitations, and potential risks.

NIST’s Contribution to Artificial Intelligence Research

NIST is at the forefront of advancing trustworthy AI technologies. Their research focuses on understanding and measuring the capabilities and limitations of AI systems. By conducting fundamental research, NIST aims to develop AI technologies that can be relied upon and trusted.

In addition to fundamental research, NIST applies AI research and innovation in their laboratory programs. By integrating AI approaches into various scientific fields, NIST scientists and engineers gain deeper insights and understanding that can further enhance AI capabilities.

NIST also plays a significant role in developing benchmarks and data for evaluating AI technologies. By establishing measurement tools and standards, NIST ensures the accuracy and reliability of AI systems.

Furthermore, NIST leads and participates in the development of technical AI standards, including international standards. This promotes innovation and public trust in AI systems, ensuring consistency and reliability across different applications.

Cultivating Trust in AI Technologies

With the increasing applications of AI and Machine Learning (ML) in various sectors, such as genomics, image processing, and robotics, cultivating trust in AI technologies becomes crucial. Economic and national security rely heavily on these technologies, and their trustworthiness is paramount.

NIST recognizes the importance of trustworthy AI systems and focuses on measurements, standards, and tools to ensure their reliability, safety, and security. They aim to develop AI systems that are accountable, transparent, explainable, and privacy-enhanced.

To achieve this, NIST actively seeks input from stakeholders and encourages workshop participation. By engaging with industry, academia, and government entities, NIST ensures that the development and use of AI technologies align with the needs and expectations of society.

NIST’s AI Efforts

NIST’s AI efforts can be categorized into several areas, including fundamental AI research, applied AI research, AI measurement and evaluation, technical standards for AI, and trustworthy and responsible AI.

Fundamental AI Research

NIST conducts fundamental research into AI technologies, including software, hardware, architectures, and human interaction. This research is vital for establishing computational trust in AI systems and advancing their capabilities.

Applied AI Research

AI approaches are increasingly integrated into NIST laboratory programs. Scientists and engineers utilize machine learning and AI tools to gain insight and understanding in their respective fields. This approach allows NIST to explore the potential of AI and assess its capabilities and limitations.

AI Measurement and Evaluation

NIST is actively involved in devising metrics, measurement tools, standards, and test beds for evaluating the technical characteristics of trustworthy AI. By focusing on AI data, performance, and governance standards, NIST ensures that AI systems meet the necessary criteria for reliability and safety.

Technical Standards for AI

NIST leads and participates in the development of technical standards for AI, including international standards. These standards promote innovation and public trust in AI systems while ensuring consistency and interoperability across different applications.

Trustworthy and Responsible AI

Trustworthiness and responsible use of AI technologies are essential considerations. NIST prioritizes the development of AI systems that are valid, reliable, safe, secure, accountable, transparent, explainable, privacy-enhanced, and free from harmful bias. By focusing on these aspects, NIST aims to cultivate trust in AI technologies and their widespread adoption.

Research Projects & Programs

In addition to the broad scope of NIST’s AI efforts, they are actively involved in several research projects and programs that explore the potential and applications of AI technologies. Some of these projects include:

• Deep Learning for MRI Reconstruction and Analysis: This project aims to leverage deep learning techniques to improve the reconstruction and analysis of MRI images, advancing medical diagnostic capabilities.

• Emerging Hardware for Artificial Intelligence: By designing AI from the device level, NIST is exploring ways to unlock improvements in critical metrics such as energy delay product and enable unique network architectures.

• Embodied AI and Data Generation for Manufacturing Robotics: This project focuses on the use of AI in robotics, specifically in manufacturing processes. It explores how AI can enhance manufacturing robotics by enabling embodied AI and data generation.

• Deep Generative Modeling for Communication Systems Testing and Data Sharing: NIST is developing deep generative models for testing communication systems and sharing data. This project explores the potential of AI in improving communication systems.

• JARVIS-ML Repository for Machine Learning Models: JARVIS-ML is a repository of machine learning models, parameters, descriptors, and related data. This resource provides access to a wide range of machine learning models for various applications.

In conclusion, AI technologies have the potential to transform our world and drive innovation across various sectors. NIST’s contributions to AI research, standards, and policies play a crucial role in cultivating trust in AI technologies, ensuring their reliability, safety, and ethical use. Through fundamental and applied research, measurements and evaluations, technical standards, and focus on trustworthiness and responsibility, NIST is actively shaping the future of AI.