In a thought-provoking article published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review (Fall 2023), Omidyar Network CEO Mike Kubzansky highlighted OpenMined as a key organization working to enable greater transparency in AI systems.
Building the Technical Infrastructure for Transparent AI
The article, titled “Reimagining Our High-Tech World,” makes a compelling case that digital technology must develop in service of society rather than the other way around. Among the various aspects of creating a more responsible digital ecosystem, Kubzansky specifically mentions OpenMined’s contributions:
“Popular debate about Gen AI has turned to transparency and audits as possible remedies for potential social harms. But large language model (LLM) developers are resistant and say it is too hard to share how their LLMs make decisions. Their claims are not credible. After all, technologies that allow private companies to share data with government already exist. The US Securities and Exchange Commission does this with financial data through EDGAR, a portal that allows anyone to access and download (for free) companies’ registration statements, periodic reports, and other forms. And nonprofits such as OpenMined are also building out the technical infrastructure to enable full transparency. But to realize this norm at scale, society must demand it.“
The Importance of Transparency in AI
The article emphasizes that better transparency is essential for the widespread adoption of ethical norms in technology. Just as other industries, like fashion and food, have responded to demands for greater transparency in their supply chains and sourcing practices, technology companies—particularly those developing AI systems—need to be more forthcoming about their practices.
OpenMined’s work is positioned as part of the solution to a critical challenge: how to ensure that complex AI systems, especially large language models, operate in ways that can be understood, verified, and held accountable.
Part of a Broader Vision for Ethical Technology
Kubzansky’s article outlines five key questions that society needs to address to create a digital technology system that serves the common good:
- What underlying assumptions, mindsets, and ideas must change?
- How can inclusive participation drive a stronger digital technology system?
- How can ethics and transparency enhance digital technology’s ability to serve society?
- How can policy guide a reimagined digital technology system?
- What financial models will incentivize a healthy digital technology system?
OpenMined’s work specifically addresses the third question, focusing on developing the technical foundations that make transparency and ethical AI possible.
Moving Forward
As we continue to grapple with the rapid advancement of AI technologies, organizations like OpenMined play an increasingly vital role in ensuring these powerful tools are developed responsibly. By building infrastructure that enables transparency, OpenMined is helping to create a future where AI systems can be trusted and verified.
