Microsoft and OpenAI launch Societal Resilience Fund – Microsoft On the Issues – Microsoft

| Teresa Hutson – Corporate Vice President, Technology for Fundamental Rights
Today, Microsoft and OpenAI are announcing the launch of a $2 million Societal Resilience Fund to further AI education and literacy among voters and vulnerable communities. In a year when two billion people across the globe will vote in democratic elections, it is more important than ever to provide tools and information that will help people navigate an increasingly complex digital ecosystem and find authoritative resources.
Grants delivered from the fund will help several organizations, including Older Adults Technology Services from AARP (OATS), the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA), International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) and Partnership on AI (PAI) to deliver AI education and support their work to create better understanding of AI capabilities. Together, we will promote whole-of-society resilience against the use of deceptive AI content.
The Societal Resilience Fund is a joint effort that follows through on public commitments that Microsoft and OpenAI have made via the White House Voluntary Commitments, and the Tech Accord to Combat Deceptive Use of AI in the 2024 Elections, in which we have committed to engage with a diverse set of global civil society organizations and academics and committed to support efforts to foster public awareness and all-of-society resilience. Our shared goals are to combat the growing risk of bad actors using AI and deepfakes to deceive the voters and undermine democracy.
Here is how some of our featured partners intend to use their grants:
“As AI tools become part of everyday life, it is essential that older adults learn more about the risks and opportunities that are emerging.  We are pleased to work with Microsoft and OpenAI on this vital project to make sure that older adults 50+ have access to training, information, and support—both to enhance their lives with new technology, and to protect themselves against its misuse.” – Tom Kamber, Executive Director, OATS from AARP
“The C2PA is excited to partner on this critical step in elevating awareness of content provenance and promoting a healthy digital media ecosystem. This campaign is being built to inform and empower people so they can make informed decisions and navigate an increasingly complex digital world.” – Ray Lansigan, Marketing & Communications Chair, C2PA
“Electoral Management Bodies, media, and civil society play a critical role in protecting and preserving democratic institutions. We look forward to working with these communities around the world to enhance their awareness and understanding of AI and how it will impact the vital work that they do.” – Alberto Fernandez Gibaja, Program Head for Digitalization and Democracy at International IDEA
“By bringing together diverse stakeholders who are creating, using, and distributing synthetic media, Partnership on AI aims to advance knowledge, action and transparency on the responsible use of AI. We look forward to our continued partnership with OpenAI and Microsoft and promoting accountability so that AI advances benefit people and society.” – Rebecca Finlay, CEO, Partnership on AI
The launch of the Societal Resilience Fund is just one step that represents Microsoft and OpenAI’s commitment to address the challenges and needs in the AI literacy and education space. The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) will be convening members of civil society and industry, including executives from OpenAI and Microsoft, tomorrow (May 8th, 2024) to discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Microsoft and OpenAI will remain dedicated to this work, and we will continue to collaborate with organizations and initiatives that share our goals and values.
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| Brad Smith, Vice Chair & President; Natasha Crampton, Chief Responsible AI Officer
| Courtney Gregoire
| Teresa Hutson
| Julie Brill
| Tania Cosentino
| Brad Smith
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