The US AI Safety Institute (AISI), a critical initiative established last year under then-President Joe Biden's executive order on AI safety, faces an uncertain future. Reports indicate that AISI, along with Chips for America, both part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), might experience significant job cuts. Axios has reported that NIST could lay off up to 500 employees, primarily targeting probationary workers in their first year or two on the job. These developments raise concerns over the sustainability of AISI's mission to study risks and develop standards for AI development.
The potential layoffs threaten the already fragile state of AISI. The institute's future appeared uncertain even before these recent reports, as President Donald Trump repealed the executive order on AI safety on his first day back in office. Furthermore, AISI's director departed earlier this February, further destabilizing the organization.
The news of layoffs has sparked criticism from various AI safety and policy organizations. Jason Green-Lowe, executive director of the Center for AI Policy, expressed strong opposition to the reported job cuts. In interviews with Fortune, several organizations emphasized the importance of maintaining robust AI safety measures and standards. They warned that reducing personnel could compromise AISI's ability to fulfill its mission effectively.
Bloomberg reported that some employees had already received verbal notice of their impending terminations. This development adds to the growing anxiety among staff members and stakeholders about the future of AI safety initiatives within NIST. With the layoffs targeting probationary employees, concerns arise about the loss of fresh talent and innovation essential for advancing AI safety standards.
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