Acceleration Consortium’s Post

We are one year old! 🎂    Last December, 57 global organizations came together to build, enable, and advocate for open source innovation in #AI. Today, we’re 140+ members strong and are just getting started! Over the last year, we’ve hit the following milestones:    ✅ 93 active projects  ✅ 1,200 collaborators  ✅ 12 working groups  ✅ 5 published AI Alliance Guides to AI   ✅ 30 events attended by 20,000 people    To commemorate our one-year anniversary, we are committing to scale up the breadth of our reach and impact by 10x going into 2025. As part of this, we’re announcing two new major initiatives – our Trust and Safety Evaluation Initiative and our Open Trusted Data Initiative – to help bolster our work promoting open source ecosystems and ensure that the future #AI landscape is rooted in safety, ethics, and a shared vision for the greater good. 2024 has been a strong first year for the AI Alliance, and we want to thank everyone who made it possible!   🎉 Join us in celebrating our first year and read more about what’s to come: https://lnkd.in/eBpN_3n8

In a recent opinion piece, Mark Zuckerberg and Daniel Ek argued that Europe stands at a crucial juncture for embracing open-source AI. As pivotal figures in the tech industry, Zuckerberg and Ek emphasise that open-source AI can serve as a significant advantage for European organisations. With AI models whose weights are publicly released under permissive licences, the potential for innovation, collaboration, and transparency is unparalleled. Open-source AI models provide a fertile ground for research and development, enabling smaller companies and institutions to contribute to and benefit from advancements. This egalitarian approach can democratise technology, making cutting-edge tools accessible to a wider audience. Furthermore, open-source AI fosters a collaborative environment. European organisations can work together, sharing insights and advancements that push the entire ecosystem forward. This spirit of collaboration is vital for maintaining competitiveness on the global stage. Transparency is another key benefit. By releasing AI models transparently, organisations can build trust with users and stakeholders. This is especially crucial in addressing ethical concerns and ensuring that AI systems are developed responsibly. In conclusion, open-source AI presents a golden opportunity for Europe. By embracing this approach, European organisations can drive innovation, foster collaboration, and build a more transparent and ethical AI ecosystem. #OpenSourceAI #Innovation #EuropeTech Thanks for reading.

🚀 Exciting News from Defaince! 🚀 We are thrilled to announce that our founders have been invited to join two prestigious AI Security centered Working Groups at the EU Commission's Futurium initiative! These groups - under the AI Office - include: 1️⃣ Technical Risk Mitigation for Systemic Risks - Technical Research Working Group; 2️⃣ Risk mitigation for providers of general-purpose AI models - Technical Research Working Group; 👀 Futurium is an open initiative launched by the European Commission aimed at encouraging collaboration among EU citizens, stakeholders in the tech ecosystem and EU policymakers. 📕 While some discussion groups are publicly open, the Working Groups under the AI Office are specifically tailored for experts to help draft and influence EU policies in the AI field. 💡 Through this initiative, the EU Commission is dedicated to creating comprehensive frameworks that ensure AI technologies are safe, ethical, and aligned with fundamental rights. 🌍 Why This Matters for Defaince: + Collaboration: Directly engaging with policymakers and other industry leaders allows us to shape the landscape of AI security, ensuring that our innovations align with regulatory frameworks and our users' needs. + Innovation: Being part of these working groups means that we can share our insights and learn from others, driving forward-thinking solutions that enhance security in an increasingly digital world. + Impact: We are committed to making a difference in AI security, and this enables us to advocate for best practices and ethical standards we believe in directly to policymakers. ✨ 🔐 We look forward to this new journey and humbly hope our insights and learnings will help build a safer digital future for our fellow European netizens! #AI #Security #Innovation #Startups #EUCommission #Futurium #Collaboration

🚀 Join ‘2050: The “Good” AI’ Symposium 🚀 We are thrilled to announce our participation in the ‘2050: The “Good” AI’ symposium in Berlin on October 22-23, 2024! Get ready for a unique experience where ethics and innovation in artificial intelligence come together on a single stage at CIC Berlin 🌍✨ Organized by Data Natives What to Expect? • Explore the Future of Ethical AI: Join data experts, founders, investors, academics, and regulators to discuss what the “good” AI means for the future. • Panels and Roundtables: Participate in high-level discussions on critical topics such as Human Rights, Privacy, Unconscious Bias, and more. • Networking & Collaboration: Connect with industry professionals, thought leaders, and key players in the AI ecosystem. • Food and drinks throughout the event to keep you energized while engaging with thought-provoking content. 📅 Dates: October 22-23, 2024, CIC Berlin, Germany 🔗 More Information over the Link in the comments Don’t miss the chance to be part of this crucial conversation about the future of AI and responsible innovation! #GoodAI #DataNatives2024 #AIethics

🌍 As a European, the topic of data & AI sovereignty is becoming more and more crucial to me. It’s not just about regulation—it’s about seizing a massive opportunity! 🚀 The EU has huge potential to build strong, local #AIEcosystems, promoting local talent 👩💻, data governance 📊, and ethical AI 🤖. By embracing AI sovereignty, we can reduce dependence on external tech and unlock new avenues for innovation that align with our values. Thanks to Ryan Browne from CBNC for the feature! 👉 Link to the article in the comments 👈 🙌 It’s an exciting time to shape Europe’s tech future. #AISovereignty #DataEthics #EuropeanInnovation #LocalEcosystems 🌐 Christian Sharp Emma Dennard Hanaé Bisquert Omar Abi Issa ☁️ Nicolas Romelé Philip Marais Shân Millie Fanny Bouton Matthew Tebay Andreea Cojocaru ☁️ Léonard Pommereau Alexander Grau Ilaria Navoni

Still buzzing from the conversation regarding Responsible AI. So many brilliant technologists all in one room with similar goals of creating value with AI in a responsible way. Takeaways I took from the conversation: - Responsible AI is an entire ecosystem challenge where there are individual, firm, and regulatory responsibilities. - Solutions already exist in heavy regulated industries that can give guidance on what firms can do proactively while regulations evolve. - The entrepreneurial journey is non-linear. So where you are now in your professional journey is exactly where you need to be. Humbled to be in the same company as the other panelists: Daniel Chesley Ben Colman Many thanks to the Supermomos team and Microsoft for holding the space to have this critical conversation. Many many thanks to the team for bringing this opportunity to life: Edwina Yeo 杨时恩 Chaeyeon Kim Katie Lee Lesley Zhou #ResponsibleAI #Supermomos #Microsoft #NYC #Tech #Community

🌐 💡 The tech world is at a crossroads 🚀 – defining what open-source AI really means has become a crucial debate. As Meta champions open-source AGI and Elon Musk challenges OpenAI, the stakes are high: the future of innovation, transparency, and ethics in tech is on the line. It's imperative to preserve the open-source market, not only for the advancement of technology but for the democracy of the human race to freely access and contribute to this shared knowledge pool. Our commitment leans heavily on supporting projects with AI intentions focused on open-source principles because environmental sustainability and innovation thrive when we invest energy into something we collectively own versus what is solely for profit. The push by the Open Source Initiative to unite diverse voices underscores the challenge: how do we balance open innovation with safeguarding ethical standards? This moment is more than a terminological quibble; it's about setting the course for the tech industry's future. By emphasizing open-source, we aim to reduce the environmental impact and foster a culture of shared progress that benefits all. 🌳 Join the dialogue 💬 – your insights could help shape a tech ecosystem that's open, equitable, and forward-thinking. What's your vision for open-source AI? #ai #opensource #techindustry #innovation #ethicaltech #technicalinsights #deeptech #aitechnology #sustainabletech #democratictech https://lnkd.in/gsKv3B7N

🌟Join the Movement for Responsible AI 🌟 Intersections has submitted two exciting sessions for SXSW London 2025 – and with your help, they can make it to the big stage in London! Please take 5 minutes to help us. ❤️ Here’s what we’ve got lined up: 🧩 Responsible AI Adventures Get ready for an escape game like no other! Work in teams to solve AI riddles, crack codes, and outwit hackers – all while getting a deeper understanding of AI literacy and responsibility. Ready to play, learn, and connect with other innovators? Moderated by Nathalie Klauser! 💬 How to AI Responsibly: Turning Ethical Principles into Practice A powerhouse panel featuring experts from across Europe with Jurriaan Parie (Algorithm Audit, NL), Gemma Galdon Clavell, PhD Galdón-Clavell (Eticas AI, ES) and Nikki Böhler (Intersections, CH). This session dives into real-world strategies for responsible AI implementation, exploring practical challenges, impact assessments, and solutions to align AI systems with human rights and ethical standards. 🎤 Here’s where you come in: The SXSW program is driven by your votes. Help us bring these sessions to life by voting now! 👉 Vote here [LINK in the comments] 🕔 It only takes *5 minutes* to make your voice heard. Voting ends 19 December – don’t wait! Let’s show the world that Responsible AI Matters. Together, we can ensure these conversations shape the future at SXSW. #ResponsibleAI #SXSWLondon2025 #EthicalAI #Teamwork #AIForGood #SXSW

Have you checked out the Post-Event Report from our recent webinar? In the “Trustworthy AI by Design” session KT4D and other three EU-funded projects - AI4Gov, ITHACA Project, and Orbis Project - came together to discuss innovative solutions at the intersection of AI, big data, democracy, and civic participation This collaborative effort explored how advanced tools and emerging technologies can safeguard democratic processes while addressing societal and ethical challenges Key Takeaways from the Event 1️⃣ Feedback Loops: Emphasized the need for technological frameworks that integrate diverse technical, ethical, and societal considerations to enhance democratic processes and user civic participation 2️⃣ Layers of Trustworthiness: Highlighted the multi-faceted nature of trustworthy AI, focusing on privacy, data protection, and explainability to align with user expectations and ethical standards 3️⃣ Synergies & Collaboration: Showcased the value of joint efforts and knowledge-sharing activities in advancing innovation, visibility, and ethical communication practices across the consortium 📑 Dive into the full report below and check out the slides and recording at the following link: https://lnkd.in/dzAanXYa

Commemorating International Day of Democracy! This year’s UN theme couldn’t be more relevant: Artificial Intelligence and Democracy. AI is becoming more embedded in our daily lives, so it’s essential to ask—how can we ensure that AI serves democracy, rather than undermining it? AI holds the potential to enhance democratic participation, streamline decision-making, and bring us closer to transparent governance. However, if AI is not governed ethically, it can easily jeopardize these principles introducing risks like disinformation, undermining political representation, and corroding social trust. Hence, as Gabriela Ramos actively advocates ethical AI governance must be at the forefront of every conversation about this technology. Here are some must-reads for those interested in reflecting further: 1️⃣ UNESCO’s Artificial Intelligence and Democracy by Daniel Innerarity Grau Innerarity Grau – An insightful exploration of AI’s impact on decision-making and how Big Data shapes modern democracy. https://lnkd.in/eYsZke_K 2️⃣ How AI Threatens Democracy by Sarah Kreps and John Villasenor – A deep dive into AI's disruptive effects on politics and how it can foster misinformation and erode accountability. https://lnkd.in/edpmvckh 3️⃣ Authoritarian Countries’ AI Advantage by Angela Huyue Zhang – A thought-provoking reflection on how authoritarian regimes are leveraging AI. https://lnkd.in/eeYDfsCE 4️⃣ Reimagining Democracy for AI by Aviv Ovadya – A visionary look at reinventing our democratic systems to keep pace with AI. https://lnkd.in/eaiWWfyF 🎁 Bonus: Check out the Thank You Democracy campaign by the Global Democracy Coalition where I had the pleasure of sharing why I stand up for democracy: https://lnkd.in/eQ4yr35a 💪 To safeguard our democratic future, we must push forward this critical dialogue! #InternationalDayOfDemocracy #AIDemocracy #AIEthics #AIGovernance #HumanRights