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, webinars, & Q&As with senior researchers & practitioners from key career fields.
• No technical knowledge is needed to participate. If you're unsure about your fit, we encourage you to apply anyway! We welcome participants from a variety of backgrounds.

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

The first run of the Futurekind Fellowship is planned to take place from May 1 to July 31, 2025 (tentative dates).