Australia’s Gradient Institute, an independent, nonprofit research institute that works to build safety, ethics, accountability and transparency into AI systems, has received a donation from ethical technology studio Cadent to develop research on technical AI Safety.
This donation will support a three-month research project of a PhD student working on AI Safety, under the supervision of Gradient Institute researchers.
The project will aim to investigate the potential misuse of large language models for manipulating individuals for commercial, political or criminal purposes – and to explore original technical solutions against such threats.
Gradient Institute’s Chief Scientist, Dr Tiberio Caetano, highlights the importance of investment in AI Safety research.
“Today’s reality is that AI systems have become very powerful, but not as safe as they are powerful.
“If we want to keep developing AI for everyone’s benefit, it’s imperative that we focus more on making these systems safer to close this gap,” he said.
The donation is a key part of Cadent’s mission. As a Social Traders Certified social enterprise, more than 50% per cent of Cadent’s annual profits are reinvested in charities and projects dedicated to causes such as AI safety.
Cadent’s Managing Director, James Gauci, encourages others to consider supporting Gradient Institute’s vital research.
“In an age where the latest large-scale hack or major AI model is just around the corner, ethical considerations in technology and AI have become paramount,” he said. “We believe that all technologists must rise to the occasion.”
