NSF launches pilot to provide researchers AI access, but experts say more investment needed to close widening “AI divide”
• NSF launched a pilot with federal agencies & companies to provide expensive AI resources to researchers lacking access
• Industry pulls far ahead of academia in AI due to greater data, computing power, and algorithms
• Pilot comes at crucial time but sustained government investment needed to close widening “AI divide”
• Lawmakers introduced legislation to establish the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) with $2.6B funding
• Pilot welcome but not sufficient - Congress must fully fund NAIRR and expand government computing resources