AI Now Institute

WHY WE’RE HERE Artificial Intelligence systems are being applied to many arenas of human life – across major sectors such as education, health care, criminal justice, housing, and employment – influencing significant decisions that impact individuals, populations, and national agendas. But the vast majority of AI systems and related technologies are being put in place with minimal oversight, few accountability mechanisms, and little research into their broader implications. Currently there are no agreed-upon methods to measure and assess the social implications of AI, even as these systems are being rapidly integrated into core social institutions. To ensure that AI systems are sensitive and responsive to the complex social domains in which they are applied, we will need to develop new ways to measure, audit, analyze, and improve them. WHAT WE DO The AI Now Institute produces interdisciplinary research on the social implications of artificial intelligence and acts as a hub for the emerging field focused on these issues. Currently, our research focuses on four key domains: rights and liberties, labor and automation, bias and inclusion, and safety and critical infrastructure. Founded in 2017 by Kate Crawford and Meredith Whittaker, AI Now is housed at New York University, where it fosters vibrant intellectual engagement and collaboration across the University and beyond.