IBM- and Meta-led group forms AI alliance

Technology firms led by IBM and Meta announced the formation of the AI Alliance to collaborate on advancing artificial intelligence. 

“[the organization] is focused on accelerating and disseminating open innovations in AI technologies to enhance core capabilities, safety, security and trust in developments, and to responsibly maximise benefits for people and society around the world,” the project’s website says.

More than 50 technology companies have joined the AI Alliance, including AMD, Dell Technologies, Red Hat, Sony Group, Hugging Face, Stability AI, Oracle, and the Linux Foundation. The alliance also includes several universities, colleges, and research institutions.

According to a joint statement by the leading firms, the group’s combined research and development funds are valued at $80 billion.

Nick Clegg, Meta’s President of Global Affairs, stressed that the alliance would enable stakeholders to share expertise and tools for developing AI.

The alliance will establish a dedicated board of directors and a technical oversight committee, charged with advancing AI projects and setting industry-wide standards, in cooperation with governments and non-profit organizations.

The AI Alliance adheres to the principle of open-source development, but this clause is not mandatory for membership.

Earlier, Nvidia announced a partnership with Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) to accelerate the industrial AI revolution. As part of the partnership, the companies will build next-generation data centers focused on developing AI solutions for generative neural networks, electric vehicles and robotics.

On September 13, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and other heads of major corporations discussed regulatory questions concerning artificial intelligence at a session of the U.S. Congress.