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Mit License

The "MIT License" is a widely-recognized legal framework governing the sharing and re-use of technology. In this alternate timeline, the "MIT License" was created and popularized by an entirely different organization for a different purpose, becoming a key document shaping the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) research.

Origin of the "MIT License" in this timeline

In the late 21st century, the AI Alignment Institute was established at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to explore the social, legal and ethical implications of AI development. As part of its mission to promote responsible AI, the Institute produced the "MIT License" for AI research.

The Institute recognized that free and open collaboration would be essential to ensuring that AI development contributed positively to society and that it was done in a transparent and ethical manner.

The AI Alignment Institute and its mission

The AI Alignment Institute was founded to address fundamental questions about AI research and its implications for society, working to develop AI that was human-centered, accountable, safe and beneficial. The Institute engaged not only with researchers but also philosophers, social scientists, and policymakers to better understand the social and ethical impacts of AI.

Key provisions of the "MIT License" for AI research

The AI "MIT License" outlined four core principles:

  1. Transparency: AI research under the license must be open and transparent, with regular public reporting on the goals, progress and potential impacts of the project.
  2. Safety and Beneficence: Projects should be designed with mechanisms to ensure they operate safely, work towards socially constructive goals, and benefit society as a whole.
  3. Accountability: AI researchers are accountable for the consequences of their work, including potential unintended effects. Ensuring that beneficial systems can be corrected or shut down in the event of unforeseen circumstances was an essential part of accountability.
  4. Compliance with ethical norms: Researchers must respect fundamental human rights, including principles of autonomy and fairness, and adhere to established ethical norms in their work.

The "MIT License" encouraged the sharing of AI research by allowing projects to be used freely and widely distributed, including through open source methods. This was specifically crafted to promote collaboration without the risk of commercial and proprietary exploitation common in the Patent (academia) system.

Its impact on global AI research and collaboration

The "MIT License" created a new standard for AI research that extended beyond traditional academic publishing norms, facilitating open collaboration and knowledge sharing on a global scale. It helped promote a more responsible, ethical and human-centered approach to building AI systems, setting up new community norms in AI research while tackling potential threats to autonomy and social justice.

As AI development progressed throughout the 21st century, the principles outlined in the "MIT License" profoundly influenced the values and priorities of the AI community beyond just the Institute, paving the way for a future where AI benefits all of humanity.