Funding for impactful research that takes a systemic approach to AI safety.
Applications are sought on a range of safety-related problems. This could involve:
- Monitoring and anticipating AI use and misuse in society.
- The risks they expose in certain sectors.
For the purpose of this call, AI safety is interpreted as a very broad field of research and interventions – for example:
- A systems-informed approach for how to improve trust in authentic digital media, protect against AI-generated misinformation, and improve democratic deliberation.
- Targeted interventions that protect critical infrastructure, for example, those providing energy or healthcare, from an AI-mediated cyberattack.
- Ideas about how to measure or mitigate the potentially destabilising effects of AI transformations of the labour market.
- Ways to measure, model, and mitigate the secondary effects of AI systems that take autonomous actions on digital platforms.
A longer list of example projects can be found in the document attached below, along with a full list of FAQs.
As future risks from AI remain largely unknown, a range of plausible assumptions about how AI technologies will develop and be deployed in the next 2-5 years will be accepted. Projects can address both ongoing and anticipated risks, as long as they are credible and evidence based.
Proposals should also enhance understanding of how government could intervene where needed – with new infrastructure and technical innovations – to make society more resilient to AI-related risks.
ELIGIBILITY
Researchers from the UK at all career stages are encouraged to apply, particularly with projects that bring together academic, industry, and civil society experts.
International partners are also welcome.
Collaborations that span various specialisms and research domains are encouraged.
VALUE
This opportunity offers initial seed grants of up to £200,000, followed by future rounds with more substantial awards.
Successful applicants will receive ongoing support, computing resources where needed, and access to a community of AI and sector-specific domain experts.
KEY DATES
Webinar: 6 November 2024 (register here)
Deadline: 26 November 2024
Further details, including how to apply and what is expected of applicants, are available on the opportunity webpage.
Any questions about this call should be emailed to AISIgrants@dsit.gov.uk.