Open-Source AI Foundation Advocates for Transparent Government AI

The Open-Source AI Foundation (O-SAIF) has launched to promote transparency and accountability in AI systems used by civilian government agencies, announced in a press release. The organization aims to end closed-source AI contracts with civilian agencies, advocating for open-source AI to ensure public auditability and enhance security.

O-SAIF is initiating a $10 million campaign to educate lawmakers, policymakers, and citizens about the benefits of open-source AI. Joe Merrill, CEO of OpenTeams, emphasized the need for government AI to be built with transparency and auditability, allowing public scrutiny and verification of models and training.

The foundation's mission is supported by leading AI experts and organizations, who argue that open-source AI enhances trust in government technology by allowing public audits and verification of algorithms. This approach is seen as more secure, as it enables the identification and remediation of attacks or exploits, while minimizing bias in AI models.

O-SAIF's leadership, including Brittany Kaiser, Chairwoman, stresses the urgency of ensuring auditability in AI systems to prevent potential negative consequences for taxpayers and society. The foundation's efforts focus on promoting innovation while safeguarding democratic values and civil rights through the adoption of open-source technologies in government AI systems.