The tech industry can’t agree on what open-source AI means. That’s a problem.
Stephanie Arnett/MITTR | Envato

The tech industry can’t agree on what open-source AI means. That’s a problem.

Suddenly, “open source” is the latest buzzword in AI circles. Meta has pledged to create open-source artificial general intelligence. And Elon Musk is suing OpenAI over its lack of open-source AI models. But the thing is… the tech industry at large can’t agree on what open-source AI actually means. In this edition of What’s Next in Tech, go inside the struggle to define open-source AI.

TODAY: AI has become mainstream, fundamentally transforming the nature of work for people and the organizations that employ them. Join MIT Technology Review’s editors and reporters for a free LinkedIn Live session about the future of AI enabled work today, March 26, at 12 p.m. EDT.

Until the tech industry has settled on a definition for open-source AI, powerful companies can easily bend the concept to suit their own needs.

A growing number of tech leaders and companies are setting themselves up as open-source champions. But there’s a fundamental problem—no one can agree on what “open-source AI” means.?

In theory, it promises a future where anyone can take part in the technology’s development. That could accelerate innovation, boost transparency, and give users greater control over systems that could soon reshape many aspects of our lives. But what even is it? What makes an AI model open source, and what disqualifies it? Whatever the answers are, they could have significant ramifications for the future.?

Entering this fray is the Open Source Initiative, the self-appointed arbiters of what it means to be open source. Founded in 1998, the nonprofit is the custodian of the Open Source Definition, a widely accepted set of rules that determine whether a piece of software can be considered open source.?

Now, the organization has assembled a 70-strong group of researchers, lawyers, policymakers, activists, and representatives from big tech companies like Meta, Google, and Amazon to come up with a working definition of open-source AI. With so many competing interests to consider, finding a solution that satisfies everyone while ensuring that the biggest companies play along is no easy task. Read the story.

Be prepared for the impact AI will have on our world with our weekly newsletter, The Algorithm. Sign up today for in-depth stories and exclusive AI insights.?

Get ahead with these related stories:

  1. An AI-driven “factory of drugs” claims to have hit a big milestone Insilico is part of a wave of companies betting on AI as the "next amazing revolution" in biology
  2. Chinese platforms are cracking down on influencers selling AI lessons They’re not necessarily scams… but they’re not value for money either, buyers complain.
  3. Apple researchers explore dropping “Siri” phrase & listening with AI instead Tests aim to see if AI models can determine when you’re speaking to your phone without needing a trigger phrase.

Image: Stephanie Arnett/MITTR | Envato


Michael Stewart

ghostcopywrite.com | parkbench.ai | freedomtechnology.org

11 个月

Open source should mean being fully transparent about the data that was used in training on top of the mechanisms, processes, infrastructure and code that was used to build these models. This is different from traditional conceptions of open source which is simply making the code public. OpenAI/MSFT/etc. don’t want to reveal this because no doubt the mechanisms and processes used were unethical and exploitative, and the data used brings up issues of copyright protection.

Donald Funk

Owner, Funk Auto Consulting Ltd

11 个月

This genius, powerful, and ethical book is a winner, first for the consumer and also for the automotive service industry. My first objective is to deliver a 5-Star customer service Disney experience. This phenomenal book has already received the award of Platinum Seal of Distinction from the USBR. This is an incredible book that offers the following high-lights: setting the pace for great success, re-investing in staff, delivering irresistible customer service, making the customer #1, building growth on new acquisitions, retention of customers driven by the business model and blueprint, using AutoServe1 digital vehicle inspection and AI from Hunter Engineering, smart vehicle maintenance to reduce cost and add safety, making your business more attractive to women and lastly the financial business model, a must have. Now add the pixie dust! This brilliant intuitive book hits every note; it is a smart book for the consumer and the auto service industry. No tool, system, process or platform will ever replace meticulous attention to detail. Visit: donfunkofficialbookwebsite.com ?

回复

If nobody knows what "AI" means, how3 could any variant of an unknown be defined? The worry about malevolent computers spontaneously deciding to exterminate mankind is silly.?I am far more concerned about malevolent humans using AI, big data, or cyber hacking to attack me or just building bombs or buying guns to kill me on general principles. The great murderers of recent history, Hitler, Stalin, and Mao, didn't use computers; they killed millions and millions of people with nothing but file cabinets and telephones.?Malevolent humans don't need computers to be a major threat to mankind.?Until we solve the problem of evil humans, I won't worry about a theoretical future malevolent AI. After all, how hard is it for parents to instill motivation in their kids??Someone would need to impart Artificial Motivation (AM) into computers.?We don't even have a Turing test to measure motivation. Computers do what they're programmed to do.?I worry far more about bad guys programming computers to attack me instead of worrying about AM deciding to attack me on its own.

Hany H.

Principal Architect at Google

12 个月

While the article emphasizes the ambiguity of "open-source AI", a more pressing issue might be ensuring the ethical and responsible use of AI models regardless of their licensing status. After all, open-source code doesn't automatically guarantee freedom from bias, unintended consequences, or questions of accountability. In the race to define open-source AI, are we overlooking the more urgent need to establish guidelines and frameworks for the ethical use of AI, regardless of its licensing model?

要查看或添加评论,请登录

MIT Technology Review的更多文章

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了