Aside from testing the chatbot itself, the process has also been a test of sorts for the agency, according to Aronson.
“The most important thing about this exercise that we’re running is that it’s not only to create the chatbot; I think that’s a nice side effect,” Aronson said. “From my perspective, it’s to experience what it’s like to do a rapid implementation … of an AI capability.”
Aronson said they’re hoping to engage the NSF community in a conversation about responsible AI, how they can do that well at the agency, and get people thinking about the future.
The pilot comes as agencies across the government are experimenting with AI. Already the government has disclosed at least 700 use cases, and chatbots appear to be a popular use of the technology, with agencies like the Department of State and Centers and Disease Control and Prevention recently noting they’re using such tools.
Although the chatbot is NSF’s first pilot of a commercial platform and first for a public-facing tool, it’s not the first AI use for the agency. NSF lists several use cases on its public inventory, and Aronson said the agency has developed smaller AI solutions before, such as a tool that suggests reviewers for people who work with NSF on research.
For more:
https://fedscoop.com/nsf-is-piloting-an-ai-chatbot-to-connect-people-with-grants/?utm_source=SSTI+Weekly+Digest&utm_campaign=4538d87e8b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_05_13_02_10&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-4538d87e8b-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D