Leading AI companies OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and Microsoft today announced the appointment of Chris Meserole as the inaugural Executive Director of the Frontier Model Forum, a coalition focused on the safe and responsible development of advanced AI systems. The companies also launched a new $10 million AI Safety Fund to support independent research into AI safety techniques.
The Frontier Model Forum was established in July by Anthropic, Google, Microsoft and OpenAI to promote the responsible development of large language models and other advanced AI systems referred to as "frontier models." The coalition aims to collaborate on AI safety research, identify best practices, and engage with policymakers and civil society.
As Executive Director, Meserole will lead the Forum's efforts to fulfill its mission of facilitating collaboration on technical AI safety issues and sharing knowledge with wider stakeholders. He brings deep expertise in technology policy and governance, having previously served as Director of the Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Initiative at the Brookings Institution.
Alongside the appointment, Forum members announced the creation of an AI Safety Fund that will provide over $10 million in initial funding for external researchers investigating approaches for safe AI development. The fund will focus on supporting novel techniques and frameworks for evaluating potential risks in frontier models. Contributions so far have come from the AI companies along with non-profit partners like the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation.
This research fund represents an effort by industry leaders to invest in the tools and insights needed to address safety challenges introduced by rapidly advancing AI capabilities. The Forum stated that diversifying the field of AI safety research will enable more rigorous testing and risk analysis of the most capable AI systems.
The appointment of Meserole and creation of the AI Safety Fund signal a deepening commitment from major AI developers to proactive collaboration and investment in responsible innovation. The Frontier Model Forum provides a framework for tech leaders to collectively tackle complex safety questions introduced by transformative new AI technologies.