Why researcher access matters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\u201cExternal Researcher Access to Closed Foundation Models\u201d (authored by Esme Harrington and Dr. Mathias Vermeulen from AWO) addresses a pressing issue: independent researchers need better conditions for accessing and studying the AI models that big companies have developed. Foundation models \u2014 the core technology behind many AI applications \u2014 are controlled mainly by a few major players who decide who can study or use them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s the problem with access?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Limited access: Companies like OpenAI, Google and others are the gatekeepers. They often restrict access to researchers whose work aligns with their priorities, which means independent, public-interest research can be left out in the cold.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- High-end costs: Even when access is granted, it often comes with a hefty price tag that smaller or less-funded teams can\u2019t afford.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Lack of transparency: These companies don\u2019t always share how their models are updated or moderated, making it nearly impossible for researchers to replicate studies or fully understand the technology.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Legal risks: When researchers try to scrutinize these models, they sometimes face legal threats if their work uncovers flaws or vulnerabilities in the AI systems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The research suggests that companies need to offer more affordable and transparent access to improve AI research. Additionally, governments should provide legal protections for researchers, especially when they are acting in the public interest by investigating potential risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n \n ![\"A](\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/278\/files\/2024\/10\/External-researcher-access-800x800.png\")
<\/div>\n \n External researcher access to closed foundation models<\/h3> Read the paper<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/a>\n\n\n\nAI competition: Is big tech stifling innovation?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe second piece of research (authored by Max von Thun and Daniel Hanley from the Open Markets Institute) takes a closer look at the competitive landscape of AI. Right now, a few tech giants like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Meta and Apple are building expansive ecosystems which set them up to dominate various parts of the AI value chain. And a handful of companies control most of the key resources needed to develop advanced AI, including computing power, data and cloud infrastructure. The result? Smaller companies and independent innovators are being squeezed out of the race from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s happening in the AI market?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Market concentration: A small number of companies have a stranglehold on key inputs and distribution in AI. They control the data, computing power and infrastructure everyone else needs to develop AI.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Anticompetitive tie-ups: These big players buy up or do deals with smaller AI startups which often evade traditional competition controls. This can stop these smaller companies challenging big tech and prevents others from competing on an even playing field.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Gatekeeper power: Big Tech\u2019s control over essential infrastructure \u2014 like cloud services and app stores \u2014 allows them to set unfair terms for smaller competitors. They can charge higher fees or prioritize their products over others.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Limited access: Companies like OpenAI, Google and others are the gatekeepers. They often restrict access to researchers whose work aligns with their priorities, which means independent, public-interest research can be left out in the cold.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- High-end costs: Even when access is granted, it often comes with a hefty price tag that smaller or less-funded teams can\u2019t afford.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Lack of transparency: These companies don\u2019t always share how their models are updated or moderated, making it nearly impossible for researchers to replicate studies or fully understand the technology.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Legal risks: When researchers try to scrutinize these models, they sometimes face legal threats if their work uncovers flaws or vulnerabilities in the AI systems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The research suggests that companies need to offer more affordable and transparent access to improve AI research. Additionally, governments should provide legal protections for researchers, especially when they are acting in the public interest by investigating potential risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n <\/div>\n \nExternal researcher access to closed foundation models<\/h3> Read the paper<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/a>\n\n\n\n
AI competition: Is big tech stifling innovation?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The second piece of research (authored by Max von Thun and Daniel Hanley from the Open Markets Institute) takes a closer look at the competitive landscape of AI. Right now, a few tech giants like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Meta and Apple are building expansive ecosystems which set them up to dominate various parts of the AI value chain. And a handful of companies control most of the key resources needed to develop advanced AI, including computing power, data and cloud infrastructure. The result? Smaller companies and independent innovators are being squeezed out of the race from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s happening in the AI market?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Market concentration: A small number of companies have a stranglehold on key inputs and distribution in AI. They control the data, computing power and infrastructure everyone else needs to develop AI.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Anticompetitive tie-ups: These big players buy up or do deals with smaller AI startups which often evade traditional competition controls. This can stop these smaller companies challenging big tech and prevents others from competing on an even playing field.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Gatekeeper power: Big Tech\u2019s control over essential infrastructure \u2014 like cloud services and app stores \u2014 allows them to set unfair terms for smaller competitors. They can charge higher fees or prioritize their products over others.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/278\/files\/2024\/10\/stopping-big-tech-800x800.png\")
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