The Autonomy, Agency and Assurance Innovation Institute (3Ai) is an Australian research institute which hopes to create a new applied science around the management of artificial intelligence, data and technology inclusive of their impact on humanity.[1]
The institute was founded on 4 September 2017 by the Australian National University (ANU) and CSIRO's Data 61 Research Business Unit. Initial plans covered a 5-year period with the goal of establishing a new intellectual framework by 2022. It is envisaged that this would combine theory and praxis within a curriculum which would enable the training of the first generation of certified practitioners with a professional qualification in the emergent applied science.[1] Genevieve Bell was appointed as the first director.[1] It is located in the School of Cybernetics, at the ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science, Canberra, Australia.[2]
The foundation of 3Ai has been cited as one example of how Australian universities endeavour to engage with industry to develop a new field of applied science.[3] The development of a Master's programme to establish a new branch of engineering has attracted support from Microsoft, KPMG and the Macquarie Group.[4]