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NIST aims to cultivate trust in the design, development, use and governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies and systems in ways that enhance safety and security and improve quality of life. NIST focuses on improving measurement science, technology, standards and related tools — including evaluation and data.
With AI and Machine Learning (ML) changing how society addresses challenges and opportunities, the trustworthiness of AI technologies is critical. Trustworthy AI systems are those demonstrated to be valid and reliable; safe, secure and resilient; accountable and transparent; explainable and interpretable; privacy-enhanced; and fair with harmful bias managed. The agency’s AI goals and activities are driven by its statutory mandates, Presidential Executive Orders and policies, and the needs expressed by U.S. industry, the global research community, other federal agencies,and civil society.
NIST’s AI efforts are carried out by the NIST AI Innovation Lab (NAILL), the U.S. AI Safety Institute, and several other parts of the agency, working in close collaboration with the broader AI community.
NIST’s AI goals include:
- Conduct fundamental research to advance trustworthy AI technologies.
- Apply AI research and innovation across the NIST Laboratory Programs.
- Establish benchmarks, data and metrics to evaluate AI technologies.
- Lead and participate in development of technical AI standards.
- Contribute technical expertise to discussions and development of AI policies.
NIST’s AI efforts fall in several categories:
NIST’s AI portfolio includes fundamental research to advance the development of AI technologies — including software, hardware, architectures and the ways humans interact with AI technology and AI-generated information
AI approaches are increasingly an essential component in new research. NIST scientists and engineers use various machine learning and AI tools to gain a deeper understanding of and insight into their research. At the same time, NIST laboratory experiences with AI are leading to a better understanding of AI’s capabilities and limitations.
With a long history of working with the community to advance tools, standards and test beds, NIST increasingly is focusing on the sociotechnical evaluation of AI.
NIST leads and participates in the development of technical standards, including international standards, that promote innovation and public trust in systems that use AI. A broad spectrum of standards for AI data, performance and governance are a priority for the use and creation of trustworthy and responsible AI.
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