Carnegie Mellon University, in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh and NVIDIA, a California-based computer hardware company, recently launched the NVIDIA AI Tech Community, an initiative to advance Pittsburgh’s robotics, autonomy and artificial intelligence (AI) innovation ecosystem.
The community will be comprised of two new joint research centers. Researchers will use NVIDIA’s AI platform, software and computing expertise and gain early access to new technologies. The initiative will enhance the university’s existing knowledge and resources in data analysis, design, machine learning, programming, physics and math.
Local start-ups and software companies also will have access to technology and training resources.
The initiative was officially announced during the first AI Horizons Summit, a one-day event focused on AI and its transformative potential across industries.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro helped launch the first-ever NVIDIA AI Tech Community by signing a certificate commemorating the announcement along with Carnegie Mellon University President Dr. Farnam Jahanian, University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Joan Gabel, and NVIDIA Public Sector Vice President Anthony Robbins.
Shapiro also discussed the progress Pennsylvania has made regarding generative AI and developing effective use cases of generative AI.
“We need to lean into innovation and adapt to the changing tech environment while we continue to educate ourselves about new technology,” Shapiro said. “That’s why last year, I signed an executive order to govern the use of generative artificial intelligence and take advantage of the opportunities this new technology presents to ensure our Commonwealth approaches generative AI responsibly and ethically. When I signed that executive order, I also announced that my administration was partnering with Carnegie Mellon University, one of Pennsylvania’s leading generative AI research institutions, to leverage the expertise we have in Pennsylvania on generative AI usage. Building on that collaboration, the NVIDIA AI Tech Community is an example of how Pennsylvania is working to bring industry leaders together to minimize the risks and maximize the benefits of artificial intelligence. Pennsylvania is continuing to lead the nation in responsible, ethical uses of generative artificial intelligence.”
The executive order established responsible standards and a governance framework for generative AI that state agencies use and established a Generative AI Governing Board to guide policy, use, and deployment.
Other steps Pennsylvania is taking regarding AI:
The Office of Administration launched a new website and published an information technology policy on generative AI to help guide and support employees.
Carnegie Mellon University’s Block Center for Technology and Society, a leading generative AI research institution, and the Generative AI Governance Board partnered. CMU faculty experts have provided advice to the board while it oversees the responsible, efficient, and ethical use of generative AI. The partnership also identified opportunities for pilot projects where generative AI could significantly empower employees.
The ChatGPT Enterprise Pilot Program, a pilot project with OpenAI, launched. It provides some state employees with access to ChatGPT with the goal of encouraging ethical AI use for public services and to make government services more accessible.
NVIDIA is also collaborating with the Pittsburgh Robotics Network and Innovation Works, technology accelerators, with the goal of supporting the commercialization of robotics, autonomy and AI companies in southwestern Pennsylvania.