CRA-I Blog

The CRA-I Blog frequently shares news, timely information about the computing research industry community, and items of interest to the general community. Subscribe to blog emails here to stay connected.

CRA Responds to White House Request for Information to Inform a National AI Action Plan

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This blog was originally posted in the CCC blog. 

In early February, the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) National Coordination Office (NCO) published a Request for Information (RFI) on the Development of an Artificial Intelligence Action Plan. This RFI, released on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, sought to inform the “priority policy actions needed to sustain and enhance America’s AI dominance.”

An incredible 8,755 responses were submitted to this RFI, including many from large industry companies, such as OpenAI, Google, and Anthopic, as well as many start-ups and “middle tech” companies (you can find a brief summary of several of their shared recommendations here). The Computing Research Association (CRA) also organized a response, informed by many council members from CCC and CRA-Industry. Below, we highlight some of the key recommendations from our response:

  • Fund Precompetitive Research in Academia:

CRA stressed the importance of basic AI research conducted in academia, which explores foundational and theoretical innovations that can redefine the entire AI landscape. Funding for this type of exploratory research is crucial, as it allows researchers to tackle questions that may not deliver near term profits, but could yield groundbreaking results over a longer timeframe. Because it is impossible to predict the next AI breakthrough, it is vital that the US nurtures a diverse portfolio of basic AI research.

  • Establish Robust Evaluation Frameworks:

CRA advocated for the creation of comprehensive evaluation frameworks that include tiered testing environments where AI models can be rigorously assessed before deployment. This approach would help mitigate potential risks and ensure AI systems meet safety, regulatory, and ethical standards. By providing a controlled environment for testing and iterative improvement, the federal government can help ensure AI technologies are deployed responsibly and effectively.

  • Fully Fund NAIRR and FASST:

The National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) and Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence for Science, Security, and Technology (FASST) initiatives are complementary programs seeking to ensure American dominance in AI, and both are widely supported in Congress. These programs, which provide AI resources widely to American researchers (NAIRR) and support deep-research efforts, specifically in scientific and national security challenges relevant to the Department of Energy (FASST) should be fully funded immediately.

  • Prioritize Computing Efficiency Research:

The energy consumption of data centers has surged recently, with predictions that these demands could double or triple again in the next 3 years, and building new infrastructure is time consuming and does not solve the root of the problem: the energy demands of AI models. CRA recommended that the federal government pursue a multi-agency effort to fund fundamental computing research and establish public-private partnerships to research efforts to address energy efficiency at every step of the AI lifecycle.

  • Ensure Human-Centered AI:

CRA emphasized the importance of developing AI that is trustworthy, transparent, and aligned with human values. Especially in sectors where AI could make life-altering or threatening decisions, such as in healthcare or law, we underscored the need for research that ensures AI systems are not only technically proficient but also ethically responsible.

  • Invest in Education and Workforce Development:

As AI continues to shape the future of work, CRA stressed the need for initiatives that help workers acquire new skills and prepare for AI-related jobs. Additionally, CRA advocated for programs that foster stronger academic-industry partnerships, ensuring the next generation of AI researchers is well-equipped to tackle the challenges ahead. By expanding opportunities for undergraduate research and mentorship, the U.S. can strengthen its pipeline of AI talent and ensure the workforce is ready for an AI-integrated economy.

The CRA welcomed this opportunity to provide recommendations for a national AI Action Plan, and we look forward to the development of a plan that will benefit all Americans and foster American innovation. Read the CRA’s full response to the AI Action Plan RFI here.

CRA-Industry Call for Council Nominations

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The Computing Research Association – Industry (CRA-I) is charged with increasing interaction between industry partners and other organizations involved in computing research for the benefit of all. Established in 2020 as a committee of the Computing Research Association (CRA), CRA-I is a growing community of computer science researchers from industry who are interested in collaborating with other researchers from industry, academia, and government to improve societal outcomes.

To fulfill its mission, CRA-I needs visionary leaders — people with great ideas, sound judgment, and the willingness to work collaboratively to see things through to completion. To that end, CRA-I has started a Council of eventually 21 leaders from industry and academia representing the breadth and diversity of the computing discipline today.

Currently, CRA-I carries out its work through an active and engaged seven member Steering Committee (SC), co-chaired by Fatma Ozcan (Google) and Divesh Srivastava (AT&T), as well as the growing Council. CRA-I is fully supported by the CRA-I Manager, Helen Wright.

Our expectation is that Council members will serve for a three year term. 

Here are some activities that we hope CRA-I Council members will participate in:

  • Develop and lead new activities that you are passionate about that CRA-I should pursue, for the benefit of the computing research industry community 
  • Identify areas where CRA-I should focus its efforts 
  • Shepherd and participate in roundtable discussions and/or workshops
  • Write whitepapers and reports 
  • Coordinate CRA-I activities with the rest of CRA
  • Think about ways CRA-I should grow as a committee 
  • Participate in monthly virtual meetings
  • Handle other requests from and for the community (e.g., responding to agency RFIs), as needed

Please send nominations, together with the information below, to hwright@cra.org by April 30th, 2025. 

Please include:

  • Name, affiliation, and email address of the nominee.
  • Technical areas of interest.
  • Previous significant service to your professional community and other relevant experience (no more than *five* items).
  • Nominee’s resume (link to a webpage is fine).
  • A few sentences about why this candidate would be a great addition to the CRA-I Council.
  • The names and contact information (email and phone) for 2-3 people who would be knowledge.

“Research In A Box” Virtual CRA-Industry Roundtable on April 30th

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The roundtable discussion will feature Jaime Teevan (Microsoft) and Claire Vishik (Stealth Startup).

Please join the Computing Research Association’s Industry (CRA-I) Committee for their “Research In A Box” Virtual Roundtable on Wednesday, April 30th, from 12:00–1:30 PM ET moderated by Andrea Gibbs (Gibbs Corporation CEO and former Intel executive). It will feature speakers Jaime Teevan (Microsoft) and Claire Vishik (Stealth Startup). The roundtable is designed to help industrial organizations of all types and sizes build successful computing research programs. This forum will foster open discussion and the sharing of experiences in establishing research collaborations across industry, academia, and government. 

Key topics will include:

  • Impactful strategies for initiating and managing research partnerships.
  • Navigating intellectual property and legal considerations.
  • Aligning stakeholder interests and expectations.
  • Overcoming common challenges.

With perspectives from startups, leaders in large companies, university researchers, and government lab representatives, this roundtable will explore best practices and lessons learned to help industrial organizations establish productive research engagements. Insights gathered will shape the development of a “Research in a Box” whitepaper resource, supporting industry-academic-government collaborations for companies looking to grow their research initiatives.

Please register here.