Research Areas - AI Now Institute
Featured Research Areas Accountability An emerging AI Accountability template runs the risk of entrenching power within the tech industry, and undercuts structural solutions. Geopolitics & Industrial Policy Wrestling with the advantages and disadvantages of government-funded AI – and the industries that underpin them Labor Worker data rights are only a starting point: we’ll need bright-line rules to meaningfully build worker power. Markets & Competition Structural reforms are key to fixing the harms caused by Big Tech. Public Interest AI Fostering a movement ecosystem around AI in the public interest that provides a forward looking and affirmative vision of AI. Climate Big tech infrastructures are locking us into an unsustainable future. Safety & Security In Safety-Critical contexts, AI must be robustly tested and built safe by design. Other Research Areas Biometrics Inequality Privacy & Surveillance Recent Work See All Reframing Impact: AI Summit 2026 Jan 15, 2026 North Star Data Center Policy Toolkit: State and Local Policy Interventions to Stop Rampant AI Data Center Expansion Dec 3, 2025
Executive Summary
The AI Now Institute's research areas highlight critical issues at the intersection of AI and society. The institute addresses accountability, geopolitics, labor, markets, public interest, climate, and safety, among other topics. The analysis underscores the need for structural reforms, robust testing, and sustainable practices in AI development. The institute's work provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the broader implications of AI technologies and offers actionable insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers.
Key Points
- ▸ Accountability in AI risks entrenching power within the tech industry.
- ▸ Government-funded AI initiatives have both advantages and disadvantages.
- ▸ Worker data rights are insufficient without bright-line rules to build worker power.
- ▸ Structural reforms are necessary to address harms caused by Big Tech.
- ▸ Public Interest AI fosters a movement ecosystem for a forward-looking vision of AI.
- ▸ Big tech infrastructures are locking us into an unsustainable future.
- ▸ Safety-critical AI must be robustly tested and built safe by design.
Merits
Comprehensive Scope
The institute covers a wide range of critical issues related to AI, providing a holistic view of the challenges and opportunities.
Actionable Insights
The research offers practical recommendations for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers.
Forward-Looking Vision
The focus on Public Interest AI and structural reforms provides a vision for a more equitable and sustainable future.
Demerits
Lack of Specific Solutions
While the institute highlights important issues, it sometimes lacks detailed, actionable solutions.
Broad Generalizations
Some areas, such as geopolitics and industrial policy, could benefit from more nuanced analysis.
Limited Empirical Data
The research could be strengthened with more empirical data to support its claims.
Expert Commentary
The AI Now Institute's research areas provide a critical and comprehensive analysis of the societal implications of AI. The institute's work is particularly valuable in highlighting the need for structural reforms and robust testing in AI development. However, the analysis could be strengthened with more specific solutions and empirical data. The focus on Public Interest AI and sustainability offers a forward-looking vision for the future of AI, but it is essential to translate these insights into actionable policies and practices. The institute's work serves as a crucial resource for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers seeking to navigate the complex landscape of AI and society.
Recommendations
- ✓ The institute should provide more detailed, actionable solutions to address the identified issues.
- ✓ Future research should incorporate more empirical data to support the claims and recommendations.
- ✓ Policymakers should prioritize the implementation of structural reforms and bright-line rules to protect worker data rights and build worker power.
