NEW YORK - Earlier this month, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) released a request for the expressions of interest to secure proposals for the development and operation of the NYC Center for Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The center, billed as the first of its kind in the world, will be led by the New York City government. It aims to combine public, private, and community collaboration from startups, large businesses, government, and academia to "build responsible innovation and public confidence in emerging technologies".

"Artificial intelligence has the potential to solve some of society's biggest challenges. At the same time, the technology's rapid advancement also raises important questions about how it's developed and implemented," said James Patchett, NYCEDC President and CEO.

"As we continue to see record levels of investment and growth in this sector, it's critical that we establish structures and tools that ensure innovation happens responsibly. The NYC Center for Responsible AI does just that; fostering collaboration and focusing efforts on creating solutions that build trust in the way these transformative technologies are used."

The City will partner with local and global leaders to invest up to $7 million to support a range of programs that will ensure AI and big data innovations benefit New York's rapidly growing AI, technology, and enterprise ecosystem. These include:

"As AI technology advances and adoption increases, it is essential for local governments to play an active role in guiding how these systems are used in their communities," said Rumman Chowdhury, Global Lead for Responsible AI at Accenture. "New York City has long been at the forefront of innovation, as well as a melting pot of ideas and cultures, and the NYC Center for Responsible AI will help ensure that heritage and diversity of thought informs how the city uses technology to improve business and society."

Find out more about how you can get involved in the initiative over at NYCEDC

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