AI Now Institute and Why Does Its Work Matter?

AI Now Institute: Watchdogs of Artificial Intelligence

The AI Now Institute is a research organization that studies the social impacts of artificial intelligence. Founded in 2017 by Kate Crawford and Meredith Whittaker, they focus on algorithmic bias, labor implications, surveillance technologies, and AI accountability.

Originally founded at NYU, now operates as an independent research institute

Brings together experts from law, computer science, sociology, and ethics

Publishes influential reports that shape AI policy and public understanding

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Think of them like referees or watchdogs for the world of AI. They don't usually build AI tools themselves. Instead, they investigate how AI systems affect real people, our communities, and our rights.
Key Research Areas
Algorithmic Bias

Investigating how AI systems can perpetuate discrimination and unfairness

ACLU on AI and Inequality
Labor and Automation

Examining how AI affects jobs, working conditions, and workplace surveillance

ILO on Future of Work
Facial Recognition

Critiquing surveillance technologies and their impact on privacy and civil liberties

EFF on Face Recognition
AI Accountability

Developing frameworks to ensure responsible AI development and governance

Brookings on AI Governance
Learn More About AI Ethics
- What is Artificial Intelligence? - Understand the fundamentals of AI
- What is Generative AI? - Explore the technology behind AI-generated content
- AI Now Institute - Visit their official website
- NYU's Announcement - Read about the institute's founding

Key Takeaways

- What is the AI Now Institute? It's a research group that looks closely at how Artificial Intelligence (AI) affects people and society.
- Why does it matter? Because AI isn't always fair and can make mistakes. AI Now works to make AI safer and better for everyone.
- What do they study? They research important topics like fairness (bias) in AI, how AI changes jobs, and the use of technologies like facial recognition.
- Who started it? Two experts named Kate Crawford and Meredith Whittaker who were concerned about AI's impact.
- What will you learn here? This article explains what the AI Now Institute does, why its work is crucial, and what we can all learn from their research.

Introduction: AI is Everywhere, But Who's Watching?

AI Now Institute! Have you ever thought about how much Artificial Intelligence (AI) is part of our daily lives? It helps pick the next video you watch on YouTube, it's inside smart assistants like Siri or Alexa, and it's even being used in things like robots that deliver packages. It's pretty amazing stuff! But, have you ever stopped to wonder if AI is always fair? What happens when these smart computer programs make mistakes or treat some people differently than others? Who is making sure this powerful technology is actually used in a good way?

AI Now Institute: Examining AI's Impact.

It's cool that AI can do so much, but is it always used kindly and fairly?

Imagine you're applying for a special program at school online. You work hard on your application and hit send. But, instead of a teacher reading it first, a computer program – an algorithm – scans it. Now, what if that program was built using information that had unfair patterns in it? It might accidentally favor applications that mention certain activities or schools, just because that's the pattern it learned, ignoring your awesome skills. That wouldn't feel right, would it? This kind of unfairness can happen with AI, and it's exactly why some smart people spend their time studying it closely.

One of the most important groups asking these tough questions is the AI Now Institute. Think of them like referees or watchdogs for the world of AI. They don't usually build AI tools themselves. Instead, they investigate how AI systems affect real people, our communities, and our rights. They dig into the problems and push companies and governments to make AI more responsible and fair for everyone. Their work has made people all over the globe think more deeply about technology's role in our society.

Spotlight: AI Now Institute

AI

The AI Now Institute is at the forefront of studying the social implications of artificial intelligence. Founded in 2017, it focuses on critical research areas including:

- Bias and inclusion in AI systems
- Rights and liberties in the age of AI
- Labor and automation
- Safety and critical infrastructure
Explore AI Now
Read NYU's Announcement
2017

Founded

Interdisciplinary

Policy Impact

Learn more about the importance of AI governance and how it shapes our future.

This technology, often called what is artificial intelligence, is growing faster than a speeding train. The amount of money being put into AI is massive, and experts think the AI market could be worth nearly $2 trillion by the year 2030 (Precedence Research, 2023). That's a lot of AI! But this speedy growth comes with big challenges. We often hear news stories about AI causing problems, like facial recognition technology making more mistakes identifying women and people with darker skin tones (NIST study evaluates effects of race, age, sex on face recognition software - Dec 2019), or computer programs used for hiring showing bias against certain groups.

AI Now Institute: Research Focus and Impact

Research Focus Areas
30%
25%
20%
25%
Bias and Inclusion (30%)
Rights and Liberties (25%)
Labor and Automation (20%)
Safety and Critical Infrastructure (25%)
AI Now Institute Timeline
Year
Event
2016
Initial symposium at the White House on AI's social implications
2017
Official launch of AI Now Institute at NYU
2018
Release of Algorithmic Impact Assessment framework
2021
AI Now leadership serves as advisors to FTC on AI matters
2023
Transition to independent research institute
AI Now's Interdisciplinary Approach
AI Now Institute
Computer Science
Law
Sociology
Ethics
Learn More
- AI Now's 2023 Report on Tech Industry Power
- NYU's Announcement of AI Now Institute
- EFF on AI and Civil Liberties
- Stanford HAI's AI Index Report

The AI Now Institute was started back in 2017 by two leading experts, Kate Crawford and Meredith Whittaker. They saw AI getting more powerful and worried about these kinds of social problems. The institute began at New York University (NYU) but is now an independent research organization, meaning it works on its own. Their main job is to study the social side of AI – how it helps, how it harms, and all the complicated ways it changes our world.

What Exactly is the AI Now Institute?

So, we know the AI Now Institute watches over AI, but what does that really mean? Let's break down what this important group does and how they do it. Think of them as detectives for technology's impact on people.

AI Now Institute: Interdisciplinary Insight.
Their Main Goal: Looking at AI's Social Side

The core mission, or main goal, of the AI Now Institute is to study how artificial intelligence changes our society. They don't just focus on the cool tech stuff. They ask questions like:

- Is this AI system fair to everyone?
- How does AI change people's jobs or how they are treated at work?
- Does this AI respect people's rights and privacy?
- Who is responsible when AI makes a mistake?

To answer these big questions, they bring together smart people from many different fields. Imagine lawyers, computer scientists, artists, historians, and people who study society, all working together in one team. This mix of experts helps them see the full picture of AI's effects, not just the technical bits. Their main focus areas often include looking at bias (unfairness) in algorithms, the future of work, people's rights and freedoms, and making sure someone is accountable when AI is used.

Understanding the AI Now Institute

AI
What is the AI Now Institute?

A research organization dedicated to examining the social implications of artificial intelligence, founded in 2017 at NYU and now operating independently.

Visit Official Website
Mission & Goals

AI Now aims to ensure AI systems are accountable, work for social good, and don't amplify bias or inequality in society.

Learn About AI Fundamentals
Founders & Leadership

Founded by Kate Crawford and Meredith Whittaker, AI Now is one of the few women-led AI institutes in the world.

Profile: Kate Crawford
Interdisciplinary Approach

AI Now brings together experts from law, social science, computer science, design, and more to study AI's full societal context.

NYU's Announcement
Key Research Areas: Bias & Inclusion

Investigating how AI systems can perpetuate discrimination and working to ensure technology serves diverse populations fairly.

Related: Joy Buolamwini's Work
Key Research Areas: Labor & Automation

Examining how AI and automation affect workers' rights, job displacement, and the future of employment.

ILO: Future of Work
Key Research Areas: Rights & Liberties

Studying how AI impacts civil rights, privacy, and freedom, especially for vulnerable and marginalized communities.

ACLU: Privacy & Technology
Key Research Areas: Safety & Infrastructure

Analyzing risks in critical AI systems and infrastructure that could impact public safety and essential services.

Related: Timnit Gebru's Research
Major Publications

AI Now publishes annual reports examining the state of AI and its social impacts, influencing both academic research and policy.

Browse Research Publications
Impact on Policy

AI Now's research has influenced policy decisions around facial recognition, surveillance, and AI governance worldwide.

Brookings: AI Governance
Facial Recognition Concerns

AI Now has been vocal about bias and civil liberties concerns related to facial recognition technology, leading to policy reconsideration.

Learn About Generative AI
Algorithmic Impact Assessment

Developed frameworks for evaluating AI systems before deployment in public agencies to identify and mitigate potential harms.

AIA Framework
Related Organizations

AI Now works alongside organizations like the Algorithmic Justice League, Partnership on AI, and Data & Society Research Institute.

Algorithmic Justice League
Academic Connections

Originally affiliated with NYU across six faculties including Law, Engineering, and the Center for Data Science.

Data Responsibly Resources
Get Involved

Follow AI Now's research, attend events, and stay informed about how AI affects society and how to advocate for responsible development.

Upcoming Events
Future of AI Ethics

The work of AI Now Institute continues to shape the future of AI development, emphasizing accountability, fairness, and social impact.

UNESCO AI Ethics Guidelines
A Little Bit of History

The idea for the AI Now Institute started buzzing around 2016. Two researchers, Kate Crawford and Meredith Whittaker, were getting worried about the power of AI and how quickly it was growing without enough thought about its downsides. They helped organize a big meeting at the White House called "AI Now" (July 2016) to discuss these exact problems.

Following that important event, they officially launched the AI Now Institute in 2017. For its first few years, it was part of New York University (NYU), a big university in New York City. This gave them a great place to start their research. However, in late 2023, AI Now announced they were becoming an independent research institute (AI Now Institute Update, 2023). This means they now operate on their own, which might give them even more freedom to tackle the most challenging questions about AI without being tied to one university's structure.

Who Works There?

The team at the AI Now Institute includes its founders, Kate Crawford and Meredith Whittaker, who are well-known thinkers in the world of AI ethics. But it's much more than just them. They have a team of researchers, fellows (visiting experts), and staff who come from all those different backgrounds we talked about – law, tech, social studies, and more.

It's also important to know that the AI Now Institute is a non-profit organization. This means their main goal isn't to make money. Instead, they are funded by grants and donations from foundations and individuals who believe in their mission. Their work is meant to benefit the public by providing independent research.

The Evolution of AI Now Institute

2016
The Seeds Are Planted

AI Now grew out of a symposium spearheaded by the Obama White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The event was led by Meredith Whittaker and Kate Crawford, focusing on near-term implications of AI in social domains.

White House AI Initiative
2017
Official Launch at NYU

In November 2017, AI Now held a second symposium on AI and social issues, and publicly launched the AI Now Institute in partnership with New York University. It became the first university research institute focused on the social implications of AI.

NYU Launch Announcement
2018
Algorithmic Impact Assessment Framework

AI Now released a framework for algorithmic impact assessments, providing governments a way to assess the use of AI in public agencies. The framework was designed to be similar to environmental impact assessments.

AIA Framework
2019
Expanding Research on Facial Recognition

AI Now intensified its research on facial recognition technology, highlighting bias issues and civil liberties concerns. Their work contributed to growing calls for regulation of this technology in public spaces.

ACLU on AI Bias
2020
Remote Proctoring Research

During the COVID-19 pandemic, AI Now researched AI-powered remote proctoring software, highlighting issues of bias, privacy violations, and student stress.

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