Facebook, Google, Amazon create group to ease AI concerns

Facebook (FB, Tech30), Amazon (AMZN, Tech30), Google (GOOGL, Tech30), Microsoft (MSFT, Tech30) and IBM (IBM, Tech30) have formed a new nonprofit to establish best practices for the development of AI technology in partnership with academics and ethics experts. The group, unveiled on Wednesday, goes by the heartwarming name Partnership on Artificial Intelligence to Benefit People and Society. "This partnership will ensure we're including the best and the brightest in this space in the conversation to improve customer trust and benefit society," Ralf Herbrich, director of machine learning science and core machine learning at Amazon, said in a statement. Each of the corporate members is expected to make financial and research contributions to the group. The nonprofit is also looking to engage with the scientific community and bring academics onto its board.