Carnegie Mellon University has introduced the Open Forum for AI (OFAI), an initiative that aims to build capacity and understanding for a human-centered AI to move toward augmented intelligence.

OFAI leverages CMU’s AI expertise to include a key group of partners offering a range of complementary skills necessary for collective action for AI strategy and associated policy development.

Apart from internal CMU funds, initial funding for the initiative is being raised from the social change venture, the Omidyar Network, and the NobleReach Foundation.

The core tenet of OFAI’s charge is to develop AI to augment human capacity, along with diverse stakeholders, to ensure the advancement of public interest. The initiative is expected to advocate for wider involvement in the AI ecosystem, shape policy-making, and address AI safety, privacy, and equity issues.

As notified on the CMU website, OFAI will focus on five working groups: research, technical prototypes, policy recommendations, community engagement, and talent for service. It will also act as a clearinghouse for policy research.

Directors of Open Source Programs Office (OSPOs) and their colleagues from Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Texas-Austin, and George Washington University are founding partners of OFAI. Along with CMU, this partnership of universities features considerable AI expertise and capacity.

Leading the team is Associate Dean for Digital Infrastructure and Director of OSPO, Sayeed Choudhury, who was recently appointed Senior Advisor on Open Source for the Omidyar Network.

 The team plans to create an “Openness in AI” framework, a system that breaks down the concept of openness to help move the conversation about AI toward more transparent components for fostering transparency, safety, and inclusiveness.

While OFAI is university-led, the team also recognizes the value of the perspective and expertise of the private sector.

Those who onboarded to offer feedback as OFAI fellows are Mike Linksvayer, Head of Developer Policy at Github; Jordan Usdan, Senior Director of Strategy and Innovation at Microsoft; Anik Bose, General Partner at BGV; Michelle Fang, Strategist for Cerebras Systems; and Justin Fanelli, Acting CTO of the US Navy and Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University.

Through these key partnerships, OFAI will build and manage a community, foster relationships, convene diverse groups, organize events and roundtables, and implement a fellowship program.