ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
The AI for Impact Coop Program represents a groundbreaking leap into the future of experiential learning. For six transformative months, you will be immersed in the world of generative artificial intelligence (AI), becoming architects of positive change. Your mission? To deliver cutting-edge projects that enhance lives in partnership with governmental, nonprofit, social impact and civic organizations and companies. This position provides valuable hands-on experience in leveraging artificial intelligence to address societal challenges and drive innovation within the public sector.
In this “product-based learning program,” you will be guided by professional advisors to enable them to design and implement solutions to complex problems. You will learn to use technology to become powerful agents of change with the skills to deliver transformative innovations in collaboration with the communities you are serving.
The program will be fully immersive. The coop will be complemented by a course comprising six months of intensive skill-building workshops where students will learn human-centered, data-driven project, product management and problem solving skills as well as do deep dives into artificial intelligence. These workshops are optionally credit bearing.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please submit your résumé, and answer the questions in the form below. Students from any department and disciplines are welcome and invited to apply.
WHO YOU ARE
We are seeking a current undergraduate or graduate student who is passionate about social change through the application of generative AI. The ideal candidate possesses the following qualifications and attributes:
- Demonstrated interest in AI and its potential for solving complex societal challenges
- Entrepreneurial and able to work independently and in a team on a professional project with tight deadlines.
- Passion for mission-driven work to improve people’s lives using technology
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present ideas effectively
- Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Organized and capable of managing multiple tasks within deadline-driven environments
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Finish an impactful generative AI project during the course of the semester.
- Develop an understanding of what capabilities are emerging in generative AI platforms and large-language models technology and how to apply those capabilities to real world challenges.
- Develop an understanding of product and management management methods needed to design and implement a civic technology project.
- Learn how to prompt and fine-tune a generative AI tool.
- Learn human-centered and participatory methods for problem solving.
- Learn how to communicate with a professional client.
- Learn how to organize a stakeholder feedback session.
- Combine subject matter expertise and problem solving skills to address real world problems.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This is a hybrid role where students should expect to attend some meetings in person with clients. A car is not needed and public transportation can be used to access all in person meetings. This full-time role (35 hrs/week) will pay $32 per hour, and will run for a duration of 6 months.
WHO WE ARE AND HOW WE WORK
The Burnes Center for Social Change and its partner project, The GovLab, conducts applied research and implements projects with collaborating institutions, including national, state and local government agencies, global philanthropies, and intergovernmental organizations.
Part think-tank and part public-purpose consulting group, we combine knowledge of the academy, with the innovation of the private sector, to deliver positive social impact on public problems like climate change, racial justice, inequality, and hunger.