Ex-Google scientist Gebru opens AI institute year after tumultuous exit
Timnit Gebru, the computer scientist whose disputed exit
from Google's artificial intelligence research team prompted debate across the
tech industry about diversity and censorship, said on Thursday she has launched
a small lab to continue her work freely.
The Distributed AI Research Institute has raised US$3.7
million from foundations and aims to critically study services from big tech
companies as well as propose AI-based solutions to issues such as food
insecurity and climate change, Gebru said.
It joins several non-governmental projects such as the
Algorithmic Justice League that are advancing ethical use of AI. Critics worry
that without proper safeguards systems including for facial recognition and
credit scoring could lead to mass surveillance and racial discrimination.
Gebru has hired a fellow based in South Africa and expects
to add other researchers next year. They will publish studies and educate
activists and lawmakers globally.
"I want to make sure DAIR is not just working on
research papers," Gebru said. "I want to be an institute that
realizes you have to engage with various groups of people."
Gebru, who is Black, has said Google fired her a year ago
for criticizing its lack of workforce diversity and for fighting managers who
objected to publishing a paper she co-wrote on potential social and
environmental costs of language technology. Google has said it accepted Gebru's
resignation.
Her speaking out about the incident drew praise from many
scientists and engineers, but others questioned her work and tactics. Alphabet
Inc unit Google in the aftermath reorganized the ethical AI research team Gebru
had led, fired her co-leader and lost the pair's manager to Apple.
Freedom to pursue whatever led Gebru to start DAIR over
joining another company. But sustaining it without becoming beholden to
sponsors or other powers will be the challenge, she said. Initial backers
include the MacArthur, Ford and Rockefeller foundations.
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