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The AI Safety Fellowship will provide you with the opportunity to work with federal government AI Safety initiatives to help shape AI policy to create a more prosperous, equitable future for AI governance. Federal agencies have been tasked with many responsibilities in the 2023 Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence and could benefit from additional support to advance the safe and responsible development and utilization of AI.

This Fellowship program aims to:

  1. Build and support internal capacity in federal agencies to advance AI safety consistent with the AI EO

  2. Expand the number of public interest technology experts in the federal government

  3. Cultivate agency experience among civil society technical experts

  4. Advance a flourishing and equitable future by addressing the present risks and potential harms posed by AI

To achieve these goals, TechCongress will place several mid- to late-career technologists with significant AI technical expertise and strong socio-technical perspectives at federal agencies to support work implementing the AI executive order and other related AI safety challenges.

Responsibilities

As an AI Safety Fellow you will:

  • Work directly with leadership at a federal agency for one year starting between August 2024 - September 2024, pending completion of a federal background check. Some federal agencies that have ongoing AI Safety efforts and may be options for placement include the Department of State, Department of Commerce, Department of Energy, and Department of Homeland Security. 

  • Perform duties to support effective execution and implementation of tasks set forth by the AI executive order. Related tasks might include:

    • Researching relevant AI issues, including risk management, safety and security, auditing, model assessments, red-teaming, and other key topic areas. 

    • Preparing AI threat assessments by working with experts across government.

    • Informing the automated capability evaluations other AI/ML engineers are building. 

    • Communicating technical AI knowledge with stakeholders across sectors to develop guidance and best practices. 

    • Advising agency leadership and agency Chief AI Officers on relevant AI policy issues.

    • Communicating complex AI concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

    • Informing the development of technical guidelines and best practices for AI safety.

    • Building coalitions with partners and other groups to support effective, responsible implementation of related tasks.

  • Support TechCongress by writing about and presenting your experience periodically, as well as representing TechCongress and the AI Safety Fellowship at meetings or events.

Eligibility

While successful candidates may not meet all of these requirements, below is what we’re looking for in AI Safety Fellows:

  • Seven or more years of work experience or postgraduate study in artificial intelligence and machine learning, computer science or engineering, or other relevant technology fields.

  • Tech savvy or socio-technical expertise, with experience working in or studying in the technology industry or the public interest technology sector.

  • Advanced technical ability and training.

  • Great interpersonal and communication skills.

  • Ability to work with cross-sector stakeholders from industry, academia, civil society, government, among others.

  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

  • Flexibility and comfort with ambiguity in a rapidly evolving issue space.

The AI Safety Fellowship is an opportunity for mid- to late-career technology professionals to get hands-on experience working with a federal agency and support its AI policy work. The program embraces diversity and believes that a wide range of views, backgrounds, and experiences will contribute to improved policy outcomes.

Location

This position is likely based in agency offices in Washington, D.C or San Francisco, California. Exceptions may be made for remote work based on agency needs, but that will be determined at the offer stage. If you are unable or unwilling to be located in D.C. or San Francisco this may affect your candidacy for the fellowship.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

How long is the fellowship, and what are the start and end dates?

The Fellowship runs full-time for twelve months, beginning between August to September 2024 on a rolling basis, pending completion of the federal background check.

Is remote participation in the fellowship possible?

This position is likely based in agency offices in Washington, D.C or San Francisco, California. Exceptions may be made for remote work based on agency needs, but that will be determined at the offer stage. If you are unable or unwilling to be located in D.C. or San Francisco this may affect your candidacy for the fellowship.

Why is remote work not possible?

Much of the work fellows will be doing involves highly sensitive information and many federal agencies have in-office requirements. There is a possibility that a fellow’s placement will allow for remote work, but we cannot guarantee that will be an available option.

Is the fellowship renewable and / or could it be converted into a permanent position?

The AI Safety Fellowship will be a one-time, 12-month position designed to support internal capacity at a federal agency to advance the implementation work tasked to the agency in the AI executive order. There may be an opportunity to convert to full-time staff at the end of the year at the discretion and direction of the agency.

Who is eligible for the program?

Individuals with a background in technology, AI, and with strong technical skills are encouraged to apply. TechCongress Fellows have diverse expertise and backgrounds. Fellows may have had significant technical experience, including backgrounds in machine learning and artificial intelligence, computer science or engineering, and other relevant technology fields. The most important ingredient for success is an interest or background in AI technology and technology policy.

Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to apply?

You must be a U.S. citizen in order to apply since participation in this fellowship requires a federal background check. However, our Congressional Innovation Fellowships are open to legal permanent residents and green card holders.

How is the fellowship funded?

This fellowship is funded by a diverse set of public interest philanthropic partners. TechCongress does not accept corporate contributions and has not accepted corporate contributions for this program. Contributions are consistent with Executive Branch and Congressional ethics rules and standards.

Selection & Placement

How are fellows selected?

Fellows are selected by an independent selections board using criteria that includes:
  • Potential for leadership in AI policy
  • Professional achievements and technical ability
  • Commitment to building a diverse and cross-sector AI policy ecosystem
  • Potential for future growth and career advancement
  • Interpersonal, communication and “tech-translation” skills
  • Individual plans for incorporating the fellowship experience into specific career goals

What is the background check?

If selected for the fellowship, you will receive a preliminary offer, contingent upon passing a federal government background check and obtaining a clearance. This process usually takes between four to six weeks. You can read more about the process here.

What is the Diversity Referral Award? Is TechCongress offering the Diversity Referral Award for this fellowship?

TechCongress is committed to building an ecosystem of diverse, cross-sector technology policy leaders. We recognize that diversity is a problem in the technology community and are working to be part of the solution. As part of this commitment, we’re dedicated to testing new approaches towards building an equitable organization and fellowship. We are the first organization in Washington, D.C., or in politics, to adopt a diversity referral award. If you refer a candidate from an underrepresented community and they apply, are accepted, and join the program as a fellow, we’re going to pay you $500. TechCongress will be offering the Diversity Referral Award for the AI Safety Fellowship.

Fellowship Experience

What benefits are included in this fellowship?

Health Insurance is available on the Washington D.C. Health Insurance Exchange. TechCongress provides a reimbursement for health insurance premiums for a silver/gold level healthcare plan for fellows.

Conflicts of Interest

Prior to final interviews, TechCongress will request information from applicants related to ongoing personal or professional activities that might interfere with a fellow’s impartiality serving the federal government. This information will be used to identify any activity that might:
  • Significantly impair the fellow’s objectivity, or
  • Create an unfair competitive advantage for any person or organization
Fellows will be required to identify:
  • Past, existing and future paid and unpaid activities
  • Board affiliations
  • Consultancies or other interests and sources of financial support

In order to preserve the integrity of the TechCongress fellowship, and ensure that the fellow is not compromised by the appearance of a conflict of interest, the fellow will be required to sign a statement affirming that there is no conflict of interest or competing interest that would preclude a fellow from participating in the AI Safety Fellowship. The term “Conflict of Interest” applies not only to the applicant, but to the interests of others in which the applicant has significant financial interest, including the applicant’s partner or dependents. In addition to this statement, fellows must comply with laws, rules, and standards of conduct applicable to federal government employees and may be required to sign statements affirming compliance with these requirements.

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