The US National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Resource Task Force convened for the first time on 29 July 2021, kick-starting its work on an implementation plan for a National AI Research Resource (NAIRR). Established in June 2021, the task force includes representatives from government, academia, and the private sector. It is required to submit a report to the US Congress by May 2022 with proposals on issues such as ownership, administration, and governance of the NAIRR; required capabilities; assessment of security, privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties requirements associated with the NAIRR and its research; and a plan for sustaining the resource, including through public-private partnerships. The NAIRR is intended to serve as a shared computing and data infrastructure for AI researchers and students, thus expanding the ability of academia, industry, and governmental entities to explore innovative ideas for advancing AI. To inform the task force’s work, the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Science Foundation have launched a call for public input inviting comments and suggestions on issues such as capabilities and services for the NAIRR, how the NAIRR can reinforce principles of ethical and responsible research and development of AI, and whether there could be any limitation in the ability of the resource to democratise access to AI research and development.