Innovation Fellowship: Artificial Intelligence and Governance

Innovation Fellowship: Artificial Intelligence and Governance

Center for Science and Democracy

Union of Concerned Scientists

Remote position

The Center for Science and Democracy in the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) seeks outstanding candidates for an Innovation Fellowship to create and lead a body of work to refine our understanding of the risks and benefits of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) on democratic governance, particularly disinformation, and elections. This two-year fellowship is open to candidates who will have completed their Ph.D. or other advanced degree in a relevant field before September 2024, or those with equivalent experience.

At the Union of Concerned Scientists, we advance equitable science-based solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems, conduct rigorous technical analyses, and mobilize our supporters to build powerful coalitions, educate decision-makers, and advocate for change. The Center for Science and Democracy (CSD) will host this Innovation Fellow. CSD works to ensure equity and meaningful public participation remain at the core of our efforts. Vital local voices and ecological knowledge shape our research and advocacy because experience shows that the resulting solutions are fairer, more effective, and more enduring. Our ultimate aim is that the systems, structures, institutions, and practices that govern the American people, places, and environments are evidence-based and serve the broadest public good.

Responsibilities

The Innovation Fellow will work with UCS staff to develop and undertake a two-year project to create and lead a body of work to refine our understanding of the risks and benefits of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) on democratic governance and decision-making. The fellow will design an original project proposal with CSD leadership to drive this new sphere of work. Democracy will take front and center in this work as this project tackles the use of AI to promulgate disinformation, including on elections, which can result in voices being lost. Justice & equity will be core to this work with a focus on ensuring that communities that are most impacted or at risk of the dangers of AI are at the governance and decision-making table. The fellow will conduct qualitative and quantitative research focused on understanding AI-generated disinformation in Elections, such as: How might these technologies affect US elections systems and processes? What regulations are needed to protect our democracy from AI-generated mis- and misinformation? What is the role of the federal and state governments to protect our democracy from the risks of AI? The fellow’s work will advance the equity & justice dimensions of AI, by focusing on issues such as: Who is most at risk of being impacted by generative AI tools and technologies? Are those most at risk being invited to participate in democratic systems and processes regarding AI?

• The Innovation Fellow will also coordinate with staff in other programs to create a collaborative cross-programmatic exchange on artificial intelligence at UCS.

Possible areas of work could include identifying priority, policy-relevant research questions on the risks and benefits of Generative Artificial Intelligence on democratic governance and decision-making; identifying threats of AI regarding disinformation, particularly related to elections; conducting robust quantitative or qualitative analyses of existing or new data; literature reviews and other exploration of existing scientific work in the space; identify and facilitate partnerships with external organizations in the field; building relationships with other researchers, partners, and coalition in the field; developing educational materials/ programs for UCS constituents; supporting advocates in implementing scientific knowledge in their advocacy; organizing or participating in events and briefings on the project topics; working with advocates to develop policy and research recommendations, and carrying out new research and/or pilot projects related to these topics.

An important aspect of this role will be identifying ways to ensure the work is sustainable and able to be continued at the Center for Science and Democracy after the end of your Fellowship, such as identifying unique niches based on the CSD mission, priority issues areas, and key spaces for partnerships and collaborations that create real-world impact.