Open models play a vital role in helping to promote transparency, security, and competition in AI. However, open models are highly capable and widely available, posing a challenge for regulators and policymakers considering the future of oversight. In his talk, Ben Brooks (Head of Public Policy for Stability AI) will discuss recent developments in open models, AI regulation, and practical steps that policymakers can take to mitigate emerging risks while continuing to foster open and grassroots innovation.
Engaging legislators and authorities around the world, Ben Brooks works to promote effective AI policy that fosters safe and open innovation in AI (Ben's recent testimony to the U.S. Senate may be found here). Previously, Ben has advocated for the safe, fair, and durable regulation of emerging technology with some of America’s most innovative companies. These include Uber, Coinbase, and Alphabet's drone delivery service, Wing (formerly GoogleX), America's first certified drone "airline." Ben has worked with authorities on the ground in ~25 countries as they navigate complex reforms in high-stakes or permission-based domains, from Texas to Tel Aviv, Lagos to London, and Brussels to Burma. Ben is based in San Francisco, and holds degrees in law and history from the University of Sydney.
Stability AI
Â
Stability AI is a global technology company that aims to unlock humanity's potential by making foundational AI technology accessible to all. Today, Stability AI develops a range of AI models for images, text, audio, and video, including Stable Diffusion. With appropriate safeguards, Stability AI is committed to releasing open models that developers can freely use or adapt to build their own AI models, AI applications, or AI ventures.
Â
Dr. Niyogi has coauthored over 200 peer-reviewed papers for international journals, 18 book chapters, and over 150 conference proceedings or abstracts for professional conferences such as the AMS and AGU annual meetings. According to Google Scholar, his research has been cited over 19,000 times (h index = 70), and his work has been read over 122,000 times per Research Gate statistics. His work has been highlighted in various media outlets including in the popular press such as Yahoo!, MSNBC, Wired, CNN, LiveScience, National Geographic, Tedx Talk, NASA press releases. Dr. Niyogi's research is funded through a variety of competitive federal grants- NSF (Atmospheric and Geosciences, Hydrology, Cyberinfrastructure, Computer Sciences, Geoscience Education, International Programs, RAPID, and CAREER), NASA (Hydrology, Interdisciplinary Sciences), Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation, DOE, NOAA, and USDA/NIFA. He has developed over 30 successful research projects, which have led to a total award of more than $100 million to Purdue ($ 6 million as an individual share) through grants. At Purdue, Dr. Niyogi received Purdue Seeds for Success award, Million Dollar research award, and the University Faculty Scholar recognition, the NSF CAREER award, the USDA NIFA Partnership Award, and has been part of the 2018 Indiana Governor Award for Environmental Excellence- amongst other.
At University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Niyogi is also part of the Theme Organizing Committee of the Planet Texas 2050, and part of the Good Systems Smart City initiative.
