ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
The AI for Impact Program represents a groundbreaking leap into the future of experiential learning. For four 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 design and implement solutions to complex problems. You will learn to use technology to become a powerful agent of change with the skills to deliver transformative innovations in collaboration with the communities you are serving.
The program will be fully immersive. The experience will be complemented by a professional development series comprising four 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.
The AI for Impact fellows program uses a unique partnership model: fellows will be paid by New Jersey Council of County Colleges with funding from the NJ Economic Development Authority to work in a fellowship hosted by the New Jersey Office of Innovation. InnovateUS will provide training and additional professional development opportunities. This position is 20-hours/week, with students able to continue their studies as part-time students while engaging in this work-based learning program.
Students from all departments and disciplines are welcome and invited to apply.
Examples of past projects:
- EASE (Entrepreneurial Application Screening Engine): Streamlining state aid for New Jersey entrepreneurs with AI-powered document validation and error detection.
- Communication + Engagement Lab: Use Perplexity to research and analyze social media campaigns from five government agencies across six different states.
- Procurement & Acquisition: Develop interview moderator guide for a research project on procurement processes. Gather data through group and individual interviews, using AI prompts to synthesize interview feedback.
- FAIR (Fast Al-Assisted Investigation & Review): Enhancing civil rights investigations to handle rising complaint volumes faster and more accurately across New Jersey.
- User Research: Participate in user research and contribute to a teamwide synthesis. Create distinct personas based off of research to help in user story prioritization. Build and refine prompts to identify potential imposter participants from survey screener responses with the help of Gemini Deep Research.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please submit your résumé and answer the following questions below
Timeline for applying:
Applications will be collected through December 5, 2025 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Priority will be given to early applications. Selected candidates will interview with final offers coming soon thereafter.
WHO YOU ARE
We are seeking current students passionate about social change through the application of generative AI. The ideal candidate possesses the following qualifications and attributes:
- Passion for mission-driven work to improve people's lives using technology
Demonstrated interest in AI and its potential for solving complex societal challenges
- Evidence of having completed a project from design to inception, not necessarily in AI, but where you've managed through to completion
- Experience in one of the following fields:
- Computer Science/Computer Engineering/Programming
- Graphic Design/Webdesign
- Human-centered Design/ User Research
- Communication
- Marketing/Advertising
- Market research/business analytics
- Data analytics/data science
- Creative Writing
- Entrepreneurial and able to work independently and in a team on a professional project with tight deadlines
- 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
- New Jersey resident attending a NJ community college who will have earned 30 credits prior to the Spring 2026 term, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Must be elgibile to work in the U.S.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Work with New Jersey Office of Innovation teams to understand partner needs and develop human-centered solutions
- Conduct qualitative and quantitative research to understand the problem to be solved
- Research technical, policy, and communications-related solutions to the problem using evidence-based research methods
- Manage the design and execution of projects that leverage AI, including product development, uptake of programs/services, development and analysis of social media campaigns and/or other similar opportunities that align with OOI priorities
- Write about and explain your work for public audiences
SKILLS YOU WILL LEARN
- How to use subject matter expertise and problem-solving skills to address real-world problems
- How to work in an iterative agile development environment
- How to develop a human-centered digital product or marketing research project or social media campaign
- How to deploy participatory research methods for problem solving
- How to document and present your work with relevant stakeholders
- How to communicate with a professional client
- How to organize a feedback session
AI TECHNOLOGIES YOU'LL WORK WITH
As a Generative AI Fellow, you'll gain hands-on experience with industry-leading AI platforms and tools including:
- Large Language Models: Learn how to effectively prompt and fine-tune models like ChatGPT, Gemini Deep Research, Perplexity, and Claude to address specific use cases and domain challenges
- Cloud AI Services: Build scalable solutions using AWS AI services (like Amazon Bedrock, SageMaker, Comprehend) and Azure AI tools (like Azure OpenAI Service, Azure Cognitive Services)
- AI Code Assistants: Build cutom AI solutions with the help of tools like Aider
- Use tools within the Adobe Creative Suite such as Photoshop
- Responsible AI Implementation: Apply ethical frameworks and best practices when deploying AI in sensitive contexts and for vulnerable populations
This program offers a unique opportunity to build practical experience with these cutting-edge technologies while applying them to meaningful social impact challenges.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This is a primarily remote role; however, students are expected to attend three touch points with staff and leadership during the program. Additionally, some project-specific meetings may require their in-person presence with clients and stakeholders. This part-time role (20 hrs/week) will pay a $7,500 stipend, and will run for a duration of 4 months. The experience will run from January 12 - May 1, 2025.
WHO WE ARE AND HOW WE WORK
The New Jersey Office of Innovation works collaboratively with government, academic, non-profit, and private sector institutions to drive innovation in the Garden State and improve the design and delivery of policies and services to the state's residents, businesses, and institutions.
InnovateUS and its partner project 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.