At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI) has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Swiss National AI Institute (SNAI), which is co-led by ETH Zurich and the Swiss Federal Technology Institute of Lausanne (EPFL). This partnership sets the stage for a long-term collaboration focused on advancing AI research and education, particularly in the area of large-scale foundation models and their societal implications.
The collaboration brings together three prominent institutions committed to the research, application, and governance of artificial intelligence. It aims to enhance the role of academia in shaping the global AI landscape through open and rigorous research that is grounded in societal contexts. “This alliance strengthens academia’s ability to shape the future of foundation models – open, trustworthy, inclusive, and with societal impact at the core,” said Prof. Annette Oxenius, Vice President for Research at ETH Zurich.
According to Professor James Landay, Co-Founder and Co-Director of Stanford HAI, “This collaboration unites leading researchers across continents to advance human-centered AI. By combining our complementary expertise, we can accelerate work on foundation models that advance science while serving society.” Under the new memorandum, SNAI and Stanford HAI will pursue joint initiatives across various domains, including research, education, and innovation.
One of the principal objectives is the development of open-source, open-data multimodal foundation models. These models are intended to facilitate research across disciplines while ensuring transparency, reliability, and accessible resources. “By joining forces with Stanford HAI, we are uniting leading ecosystems to advance human-centered AI that truly benefits society,” said Menna El-Assady, Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich and a faculty member of the ETH AI Center. The emphasis on intelligence augmentation is designed to empower individuals while maintaining human values and agency at the forefront of technological advancements.
A significant component of the collaboration is the establishment of benchmarks and evaluation frameworks for the design and deployment of foundation models, which are essential for enhancing comparability, accountability, and responsible use of AI systems. As foundation models increasingly influence various sectors, including science and industry, this partnership underscores a commitment to open science and responsible AI development.
This initiative not only aims to connect Switzerland’s national AI efforts with Stanford’s prominent human-centered AI hub but also seeks to advance research that reflects societal values and cultural diversity. It highlights the importance of academic leadership in a field that is increasingly dominated by large technology companies. “We are excited about this collaboration which lays the groundwork for a transatlantic research ecosystem that is open, inclusive, and capable of shaping the future of AI beyond commercial interests,” stated Stéphanie Lacour, Vice-President for support to Strategic Initiatives at EPFL.
Researchers affiliated with ETH Zurich, EPFL, and Stanford stand to gain significantly from this partnership. They will have access to joint workshops, researcher exchanges, shared computing resources, and participation in international AI networks, creating new opportunities for interdisciplinary and high-impact AI research. As the landscape of artificial intelligence continues to evolve, this collaboration marks a pivotal step toward integrating academic insights into the development of technologies that have profound societal implications.
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