Lawmakers Scrutinize NIST Over AI Safety Research Grants and Standards
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House Science Committee members criticize NIST's lack of transparency regarding AI safety research grants, including a planned partnership with RAND Corp.
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Lawmakers warn NIST about quality of AI safety research from outside groups, saying it often lacks evidence and peer review.
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RAND has ties to tech billionaires, AI industry, and controversial "effective altruism" movement focused on existential AI risks.
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Lawmakers say NIST research grants should undergo competitive process and meet scientific rigor standards of broader federal research enterprise.
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Congressional scrutiny suggests increased awareness of political and ideological perspectives attempting to shape AI governance under guise of science.