For Immediate Release

Vaibhav Vijay, Vaibhav.Vijay@mail.house.gov
Kyla Gill, Kyla.Gill@mail.house.gov

Congresswoman Summer Lee Celebrates $6 Million Grant to Carnegie Mellon University to Lead AI Measurement and Accountability Research

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12) is excited to announce that Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) has been awarded $6,000,000 through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish the AI Measurement Science and Engineering Cooperative Research Center (AIMSEC). This new center will lead vital research into how artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can be developed, tested, and deployed to ensure safety, privacy, and fairness—advancing the global standard for responsible AI development.

“Artificial intelligence is the defining technology of our generation, and it’s critical that we ensure these advancements are safe, reliable, and equitable,” said Congresswoman Lee. “This $6 million grant will help Carnegie Mellon University take a leading role in making sure AI systems work for people, not against them—protecting jobs, privacy, and accountability in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Pittsburgh has always been a hub of innovation, and this center will continue that tradition by ensuring AI builds a better future for all of us.”

The AIMSEC initiative will focus on advancing the national capability to test and evaluate modern AI systems, including generative AI (GenAI) and machine learning (ML) models. Key priorities include improving AI risk management, enhancing privacy protections, and creating new methods to ensure AI tools are transparent, fair, and accountable in sectors like human services, education, transportation, and finance. The center will build on CMU’s leadership in AI ethics and research and involve partnerships with key stakeholders from various industries.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo lauded the grant, saying, “AI is revolutionizing industries across the board, and at the Commerce Department, we are committed to working with world-class institutions like Carnegie Mellon to ensure the responsible development of AI. This $6 million award is a significant step in making AI safer and more trustworthy, while supporting the next generation of scientists and engineers.”

CMU President Farnam Jahanian added, “The AIMSEC will fill a critical gap in the responsible development of AI systems, providing the standards and tools necessary to ensure that AI technologies can be trusted and safely deployed. CMU is proud to collaborate with NIST in this essential work.”

Carnegie Mellon will also coordinate efforts with several existing initiatives and research centers, including the Block Center for Technology and Society and the Software Engineering Institute, to support AIMSEC’s mission of ensuring that AI technologies are both effective and ethical.

This $6 million grant is part of the broader NIST Measurement Science and Engineering Research Grant Program, which aims to enhance the national research infrastructure while fostering innovation and training the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Since taking office in January 2023, Congresswoman Lee has delivered over $1.85 billion in federal investment to Pennsylvania’s 12th district, fueling infrastructure projects, clean energy initiatives, and cutting-edge research like this. This latest grant solidifies Pittsburgh’s place at the forefront of technological advancements while promoting safety and fairness in AI development.

For more information on the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s AI research initiatives, visit https://www.nist.gov/artificial-intelligence.