Statement from the AI Alliance on the Importance of Establishing the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) through the CREATE AI Act

The AI Alliance, an international community of researchers, developers, and organizational leaders, stands firmly in support of establishing the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) as a critical step to enable responsible, open innovation in AI. By advocating for accessible resources and robust infrastructure, we aim to empower a broad spectrum of researchers and innovators to advance AI capabilities in a manner that ensures trust, safety, diversity, and economic competitiveness.

The passage of the bipartisan Creating Resources for Every American To Experiment with Artificial Intelligence Act (CREATE AI Act) would make NAIRR a permanent, publicly accessible resource, opening doors to advanced computational power and data previously limited to well-funded institutions. Central to the AI Alliance’s mission of open innovation of AI, the NAIRR would support the expansion of resources to democratize AI research, enabling a diversity of perspectives in AI development and fostering an ecosystem that supports both scientific rigor and economic growth.

By providing equitable access to foundational AI resources, NAIRR would accelerate research in fields ranging from healthcare and drug discovery to environmental science and advanced manufacturing. This access can serve as a catalyst for breakthroughs in critical areas, ultimately positioning the United States as a global leader in both the technological and ethical aspects of AI development.

The recent findings by the Department of Commerce and NTIA on open foundation models underscore the importance of preserving the openness of AI resources and preventing unnecessary restrictions on model weights. Such openness in foundational models enhances safety, increases innovation, and enables small and medium-sized businesses to compete on a level playing field. Similarly, NAIRR’s approach to accessibility and inclusivity would promote the rigorous and responsible exploration of AI capabilities while ensuring secure and controlled access to powerful tools for diverse research communities.

The AI Alliance remains dedicated to supporting open innovation across the AI landscape, advocating for policies that uphold transparency, choice, and accessibility in AI technology. We believe that the full establishment of NAIRR, along with the necessary funding through the CREATE AI Act, will support U.S. AI leadership.