METR: Funding Update (metr.org)

METR has successfully raised approximately $71 million in commitments over the last six months, marking a significant boost for its projects aimed at advancing the understanding and management of AI technologies. This funding will support a range of initiatives, including research into autonomous AI capabilities, tracking recursive self-improvement, developing monitoring systems, and conducting thorough risk assessments. The backing comes from various powerful sources, including The Audacious Project and notable individuals and foundations, demonstrating a community-driven effort to enhance AI safety and governance. The significance of this funding lies in METR's commitment to maintaining independence from major frontier AI companies, which is crucial as their risk assessments gain importance in the evolving AI landscape. By steering clear of such corporate funding, METR aims to ensure unbiased evaluations of AI systems while still benefiting from free resources provided by these companies for research purposes. With plans to expand their team and embark on ambitious new projects, METR is poised to play a vital role in shaping responsible AI development and contributing meaningfully to the safety protocols within the AI/ML community.