Overview
Title
Request for Information on the Development of a 2025 National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research and Development (R&D) Strategic Plan
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The National Science Foundation is asking people to share their ideas on how to make America the best at using smart computers to help everyone have better lives and stay safe. They want advice from smart people on what the government should focus on to keep leading in this technology.
Summary AI
The National Science Foundation is inviting public input to help update the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research and Development Strategic Plan for the year 2025. They aim to ensure that the United States remains a world leader in AI by focusing on areas that need government attention, such as national security and scientific breakthroughs, which might not attract immediate private investment. Public feedback will be used to shape the plan to emphasize the significance of AI in economic growth, technological progress, and enhancing public welfare and security. Comments can be submitted until May 29, 2025.
Abstract
On behalf of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) National Coordination Office (NCO) welcomes input from all interested parties on how the previous administration's National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Strategic Plan (2023 Update) can be rewritten so that the United States can secure its position as the unrivaled world leader in artificial intelligence by performing R&D to accelerate AI-driven innovation, enhance U.S. economic and national security, promote human flourishing, and maintain the United States' dominance in AI while focusing on the Federal government's unique role in AI research and development (R&D) over the next 3 to 5 years. Through this Request for Information (RFI), the NITRD NCO encourages the contribution of ideas from the public, including AI researchers, industry leaders, and other stakeholders directly engaged in or affected by AI R&D. Responses previously submitted to the RFI on the Development of an AI Action Plan will also be considered in updating the National AI R&D Strategic Plan.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document is an official notice from the National Science Foundation's Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) National Coordination Office, inviting public input to shape the 2025 National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research and Development Strategic Plan. The plan seeks to position the United States as a global leader in AI through strategic investments in research and development (R&D) that bolster national security, economic growth, and human welfare.
General Summary
This Request for Information (RFI) solicits ideas from various stakeholders, including AI researchers and industry leaders, as the government aims to update the strategic plan to reflect key priorities over the next 3 to 5 years. The focus areas will include fundamental AI research, long-term investments that may not see immediate commercial returns, and applications vital for national interests. The public is encouraged to submit comments by May 29, 2025.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several concerns arise from the document. Notably, there is no specified budget or estimated cost for the proposed strategic plan, which makes it challenging to assess potential wasteful expenditures. The absence of detailed criteria for evaluating and incorporating public responses to the RFI introduces uncertainty in how decision-making will proceed. Furthermore, the technical language used may deter those without specialized knowledge from effectively contributing their insights.
There is also a mention of Executive Order 14179, which could imply a bias towards the previous administration's policies, raising questions on how new input will be integrated. The requirement for submissions to exclude business-proprietary or confidential information limits the depth of innovative proposals that companies and researchers might be able to provide. Lastly, while the document outlines numerous potential research areas, it lacks specific guidance on prioritization, risking a diluted focus on key areas.
Impact on the Broader Public
Broadly, the development of a robust AI R&D strategic plan has the potential to drive significant technological advancements and strengthen various sectors crucial to America's economy and security. It promises to foster an environment where AI innovation can meet public needs and enhance safety and infrastructure resilience. However, the lack of clarity regarding the plan's budget and priorities might lead some to question the government's transparency and commitment to public engagement in crafting future AI policies.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For AI researchers and industry participants, the document presents both an opportunity and a challenge. It opens a channel for valuable contributions that could steer federal policy and funding allocations toward meaningful research. However, the constraints on proprietary content and the absence of structured guidance on priority areas might discourage some stakeholders from fully engaging in the process. On the other hand, national security entities and sectors dependent on government-backed research might find optimistic prospects in prioritized R&D areas that the private sector overlooks.
In conclusion, while the RFI's ambition to update the AI R&D strategic plan holds promise for advancing the United States' leadership in AI, several aspects require further clarification to ensure comprehensive stakeholder engagement and transparent planning.
Issues
• The document does not specify a budget or estimated cost for the proposed AI R&D Strategic Plan, making it difficult to assess potential wasteful spending.
• There is no detailed explanation of how responses to the RFI will be evaluated and incorporated, leaving some ambiguity in the decision-making process.
• The language used is quite technical, which might be difficult for laypersons or non-experts in AI to fully understand and effectively respond to the RFI.
• The document references an Executive Order (EO 14179) with political implications, which may suggest a bias towards the previous administration's policies without detailing how new input will be integrated.
• The requirement for submissions to be free of business-proprietary or confidential information limits the type of insights or innovative contributions AI researchers or companies might offer.
• It lacks specificity on how public comments will directly influence the federal AI R&D budget and prioritization, which might discourage stakeholder engagement.
• The document provides a broad list of potential research areas but lacks clear prioritization, which might lead to a scattered approach without clear focus areas.