Facebook has announced the launch of an independent AI ethics research center called the Institute for Ethics in Artificial Intelligence. The new body has been created in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and aims to advance the ethical research on new technology and “explore fundamental issues affecting the use and impact of AI.”
Facebook’s involvement in the partnership includes it funding a $7.5 million grant over the course of five years to help the research center carry out its work. While Facebook is providing the initial grant, the Institute will also explore other funding options from additional partners and agencies.
Explaining in the announcement as to why it was partnering with TUM, Facebook said:
“The Technical University of Munich is one of the top-ranked universities worldwide in the field of artificial intelligence, with work extending from fundamental research, to applications in fields like robotics and machine intelligence, to the study of the social implications of AI. The Institute for Ethics in Artificial Intelligence will leverage the TUM’s outstanding academic expertise, resources and global network to pursue rigorous ethical research into the questions evolving technologies raise.”
Going forward, expect to see the Institute publish research that it carries out and organize conferences, workshops, and other educational activities to help spread awareness of ethical issues surrounding artificial intelligence.
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