Foresight Institute: Open science needs open compute as private monopoly hinders independent research
niloofar_mire · x · 2026-08-27
Foresight Institute CEO Allison Duettmann argues that compute is the defining instrument of our scientific era (like telescopes or microscopes). However, 71% of the world's AI compute is currently concentrated in just five companies, while the US public research compute budget is only $30 million annually—a ratio of about 1:25,000 against private capex.
Key Arguments:
- Lack of Open Compute: Unlike past instruments owned by universities/governments, critical AI compute is privately held.
- Dual Requirement: Open science needs both open model weights and open hardware. Weights are inert without controlled hardware.
- AI Nodes Project: Foresight has launched AI Nodes in Berlin and SF, providing on-site compute and funding for independent AI safety and science projects as a prototype for open research infrastructure.
Related event: Foresight CEO Calls for Open Compute to Break AI Compute Monopoly(2 posts)→
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