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OpenAI and Microsoft Back UK Alignment Project as First 60 Grants Are Awarded

The UK-led program expands independent alignment research by combining funding with compute access plus mentorship to keep advanced AI controllable.

Overview

  • OpenAI committed $7.5 million (£5.6 million), taking total resources for the Alignment Project to more than £27 million.
  • The first round has funded 60 research efforts across eight countries, with a second round scheduled to open this summer.
  • OpenAI said its contribution will not change or influence how projects are chosen, increasing only the number of vetted teams that can be supported.
  • The UK AI Security Institute oversees selection as well as access to compute and mentorship, with Renaissance Philanthropy administering the grant pipeline.
  • An international coalition backs the initiative, including CIFAR, Australia’s AI Safety Institute, Schmidt Sciences, AWS and Anthropic.