The Futurekind AI Fellowship is a 12-week learning & professional development journey created by AI safety education org Electric Sheep. It introduces you to the rapidly developing intersection of AI & animal welfare– & arms you with future-proof knowledge & project mentorship to accelerate your career.
Here's what's on offer:
- The learning block of the fellowship (weeks 1-6) introduces participants to current & emerging AI applications with significant implications for animals, such as in optimising factory farming or decoding animal communication. Learners are introduced to powerful AI tools for animal advocacy, &, in the last session, explore impactful career pathways at the AI/animals frontier.
- In the project block of the fellowship (weeks 7-12), participants transition from learners to doers. Over the course of this project sprint, participants prepare a final work drawing on what they have learned during the course: a concrete contribution to animal welfare & protection. To support their research, collaboration, & project development, participants will have access to ChatNGO, a powerful AI platform tailored for nonprofits, generously provided by Stray Dog Institute. On top of this, participants will also receive tailored mentorship from leading professionals across academia, industry, & other sectors who will guide your project development & career building.
Session format
Sessions consist in weekly facilitated discussions (1.5-2 hours). Readings & pre-session exercises will take 2-3 hours per week. Apart from this, there will also be optional workshops & Q&As with senior researchers & practitioners from key career fields.
Program
Week 1. What AI Means for Animals: The Present & Near Future
Week 2. Precision Livestock Farming
Week 3. Animal Communication
Week 4. Animals & AI: The Long-Term Future
Week 5. AI-powered Animal Advocacy
Week 6. Taking Action: Technical & Governance Solutions / Introduction to Capstone Project
Weeks 7-12. Project sprint with industry mentorship
Important Dates
- Applications close: April 1, 2025
- The first run of the Futurekind Fellowship is planned to take place from May 1 to July 24, 2025 (tentative dates).
