The Frontier Model Forum is an industry-led body tasked with developing safety standards for AI.

Leading artificial intelligence companies, including Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL), OpenAI (maker of ChatGPT), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), and Anthropic, have announced plans to establish the Frontier Model Forum. This industry-led body aims to develop safety standards for rapidly advancing AI technology, surpassing the progress of Washington policymakers who are still debating the necessity of a government-led AI regulator.

The Frontier Model Forum’s primary goals are to advance AI safety research and technical evaluations for the next generation of AI systems, which are expected to be more powerful than the current large language models driving chatbots like Bing and Bard. The forum will also facilitate information sharing among companies and governments regarding AI risks. (Washington Post)

The companies involved have also made voluntary commitments to the White House, pledging to subject their systems to independent tests and create tools that alert the public when an image or video is generated using AI.

While government-led AI regulation is still in its early stages, these tech companies are taking the initiative to address AI’s potential risks independently. However, critics argue that industry-led efforts might not be sufficient and could deflect the need for essential legislation to regulate the industry properly.

The Frontier Model Forum is open to companies developing AI models that surpass the capabilities of current advanced models. Companies must demonstrate a commitment to safety and be willing to collaborate on joint initiatives. The forum’s focus aligns with statements made by OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, who emphasized that current AI models don’t require immediate regulation, but more advanced AI systems warrant consideration.

Meta (NASDAQ: META) (formerly Facebook), which recently made its AI model Llama 2 available for public use, is notably absent from the Forum. Some members of the Forum have expressed concerns about the future of open-source AI models, citing potential catastrophic dangers associated with highly advanced AI being openly accessible.

Overall, the Frontier Model Forum represents the industry’s proactive approach to address AI safety while waiting for formal government regulations to develop. It remains to be seen how these voluntary efforts will be integrated into existing government initiatives in the future.

Related Story: Tech Majors Agree To Voluntary AI Guardrails At White House Meeting

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