Tech Ethics & Policy Summer Fellowships

Sponsored by the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) and the Ethics, Society, and Technology Hub (EST), McCoy Family Center for Ethics in Society

Track 1: Tech Ethics and Policy in DC (Graduate Students)

Are you trying to find ways your technical skills can make a real difference in the governance of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence? Look no further! We are seeking up to six Stanford graduate students with a technical background and curiosity to dive into public service. If selected, you will undergo a responsible tech and policy training on campus during the spring quarter and then be matched with a host organization for a full-time, fully-funded summer fellowship in the Washington, D.C. area. Potential host organizations include executive branch offices (like the White House), Congressional offices, and think tanks.

About the Fellowship

The D.C. ecosystem lacks the technical expertise needed to make informed decisions on AI policy. As artificial intelligence continues to increase in importance and impact, the need for technical talent in government is becoming more urgent. Meanwhile, Stanford is host to thousands of qualified graduate students studying technical fields such as computer science, electrical engineering, data science, symbolic systems, and more. To fill this gap, HAI will fully fund a cohort of Stanford students in fellowship positions across D.C., from Congress to the Executive Branch to leading think tanks.

Through this experience, fellows will:

Gain a better understanding of the tech policy community and how ideas become law
Strengthen their written and oral communication skills
Explore new public service career opportunities in all three branches of government, civil society organizations, and think tanks
Build lifelong relationships with their cohort and D.C. colleagues
Apply their technical skills to ensure technology policy is developed from a human-centered approach

Application

Early applications are due on Sunday, December 18 at 11:59pm PT. Students who apply in this round will receive priority placement to their selected organization/agency/office. Interviews for finalists will take place the week of January 9 for early applicants.

Regular applications are due on Sunday, January 15 at 11:59pm PT. Interviews for finalists will take
place the week of January 16 for regular applicants.

In the event that the six spots for track 1 are filled after the early application deadline, applications will no longer be accepted. If this is the case, we will update this webpage to reflect this change. It is strongly encouraged that students apply early.

To apply for the fellowship, please submit your application below including your resume,
transcript, and answers (no more than 250 words each) to the following questions:

What do you hope to gain from the fellowship?
Is there an AI topic that policymakers are not paying enough attention to but should?

Apply by Sunday, January 15 at 11:59 p.m.

Requirements

Selected fellows are required to enroll in a 2023 spring quarter course [TBD] where they will learn about the ethics of technology and how to conduct policy analysis and effectively communicate their ideas. Upon successful completion of the course, all fellows must work at least 35 hours/week for ten consecutive weeks at their host organizations in D.C. (university policies and health conditions permitting). After the ten weeks, track 1 fellows may be asked to write a blog describing their experience and what they learned during their fellowship.

Who should apply?

We are looking for Stanford graduate students who have completed at least one computer science or symbolic systems course (with a preference for multiple courses), or multiple courses in the School of Engineering. All applicants should be interested in gaining tech policy experience in D.C.

International students on an F-1 visa with pre-completion OPT or CPT work authorizations are eligible to apply, but in those cases fellowship placements will be limited to non-governmental organizations.

What's included?

HAI will provide each track 1 fellow with a $12,000 stipend, housing for the duration of the fellowship in D.C., round trip airfare, mentorship in technology policy, and monthly cohort programming (such as field trips, roundtables, and dinners). Additionally, HAI will connect fellows with policy mentors to help them navigate their summer experience.

2022 - 2023 Timeline

November 16: Early Applications Open
December 18: Early Applications Due
January 9-13: Early Application Finalists Interviews
January 16-20: Early Application Fellows Selected
January 15: Regular Applications Due
January 23-27: Regular Application Finalists Interviews
January 30: Regular Application Fellows Selected
April 3-June 14: Spring quarter course
June 19: Fellows travel to D.C.
June 19-23: Welcome happy hour (1 night during this week, TBD)
July 17-21: Round table dinner with guest (1 night during this week, TBD)
August 21-25: Concluding happy hour (1 night during this week, TBD)
August 25: Fellows return home

Track 2: Tech Ethics & Policy in California (Undergraduate Students)

Track 2 of the Responsible Tech & Policy Summer Fellowships is designed for undergraduate students to engage in the technology field as it intersects with public policy and social impact. To learn more, please visit the Track 2 Tech Ethics and Policy in California (Undergraduate Students) webpage.

People

Co-Chairs

Rob Reich

Professor of Political Science, Faculty Director of the McCoy Family Center for Ethics in Society, and the Marc and Laura Andreessen Faculty Co-Director of the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society

Marietje Schaake

HAI International Policy Fellow; International Policy Director, Cyber Policy Center, Stanford University

Contact Us

For more information, contact hai-policy@stanford.edu.