The Institute for Trustworthy AI in Law & Society (TRAILS) is the first organization to integrate artificial intelligence participation, technology and governance during the design, development, deployment and oversight of AI systems. We investigate what trust in AI looks like, how to create technical AI solutions that build trust, and which policy models are effective in sustaining trust.
TRAILS is a partnership between the University of Maryland, George Washington University, Morgan State University and Cornell University.
Funded by a $20 million award from the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the institute is focused on transforming the practice of AI from one driven primarily by technological innovation to one that is driven by ethics, human rights, and input and feedback from communities.
In addition to UMD, GW, Cornell and Morgan State, other participation in TRAILS comes from private sector organizations like the DataedX Group, Planet Word, Arthur AI, Checkstep, FinRegLab and Techstars.
Our Vision
To transform the field of AI from “tech first” to “people first,” where AI systems are developed and governed in a way that promotes human rights and serves the interests of the people who use them
Our Mission
TRAILS designs, develops, deploys and models a new, more accountable and more broadly participatory approach to AI. We use convenings, training, and interdisciplinary research to empower users to make sense of and participate in the development and governance of AI systems. Over time, the TRAILS’ approach to AI will build trust through research that bridges disciplines and perspectives.
Our Strategy
TRAILS aims to transform AI by developing, building and modeling accountable and participatory research that over time will increase trust in AI. Specifically, we will:
Design, develop, deploy, and model new AI theories and algorithms that promote AI trustworthiness
Understand the factors that empower users to make sense of AI systems
Investigate mechanisms for developing participatory and accountable governance strategies
Bridge disciplinary methods in research as we train the next generation of talent
Listen to, learn from, educate, recruit, retain, and support communities to create equal opportunities for all Americans to shape and benefit from AI.
