Gates AI Fellow

Job Posting Organization:
The Gates Foundation is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting poverty, disease, and inequity on a global scale. Established with the mission to ensure that every person, regardless of their identity or circumstances, has the opportunity to lead a healthy and productive life, the foundation operates in over 140 countries. It employs a diverse workforce that reflects the global populations it serves, and it is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that fosters personal and professional growth. The foundation offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, generous paid time off, and retirement contributions, among other perks.

Job Overview:
The AI Fellows Program at the Gates Foundation aims to accelerate the responsible and impactful use of artificial intelligence (AI) in global health, development, and education. This program is designed to attract top-tier AI talent who are aligned with the foundation's mission. As a Gates AI Fellow, you will be part of a prestigious cohort that applies AI for public good, gaining valuable experience and access to a powerful network. The role involves collaboration across various divisions within the foundation, including Global Health, Gender Equality, Global Development, and Global Growth & Opportunity, all of which leverage AI to achieve their strategic goals. Over a 12-month period, AI Fellows will work on high-priority projects that include developing AI tools, building predictive models, and creating interactive prototypes, all aimed at addressing real-world challenges in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Gates AI Fellow include:

• Problem Identification & Scoping: Collaborate with program teams to identify, frame, and prioritize real-world challenges, ensuring that solutions are user-centered and contextually relevant.
• Prototyping & Rapid Experimentation: Utilize modern AI tools to rapidly prototype solutions, document learnings, and translate insights into actionable recommendations.
• Design and Deliver AI Solutions: Develop and implement AI/ML models to tackle challenges in various sectors, ensuring rigorous evaluation and validation of models for accuracy and fairness.
• Data Management: Prepare and manage datasets while ensuring data integrity and ethical use.
• Software Development: Create high-quality software by applying strong engineering practices.
• Teaching & Capacity Building: Conduct workshops and training sessions to empower foundation staff and partners in using AI tools effectively.
• Collaboration: Work across teams and disciplines to co-design impactful solutions and communicate technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Ethical AI Practices: Embed equity and data privacy considerations in all technical approaches and ensure prototypes are accessible to non-technical stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a balance of technical skills and alignment with the foundation's values. Required qualifications include:

• Education: A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Applied Math, or a related field.
• AI Technology: Proficiency in ML/AI modeling, software engineering, model evaluation, and data wrangling, demonstrated through coursework, research, or internships.
• AI Applications: A strong interest in applying AI in sectors such as health, agriculture, or education, with a pragmatic approach to using AI tools.
• Collaborative Mindset: Experience working in cross-functional teams and adaptability in complex environments.
• Communication Skills: Ability to articulate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Mission-Driven Ethos: A commitment to applying AI for public good and alignment with the foundation's mission.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold at least a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or Applied Mathematics. This educational background is essential to ensure that fellows have the necessary technical foundation to engage with AI technologies effectively.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a demonstrated level of experience in AI technologies, which can be evidenced through academic coursework, research projects, internships, or early professional roles. While direct experience in global health or development is not mandatory, a strong technical competence in AI/ML is crucial, along with a motivation to apply these skills for public good.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the international nature of the foundation's work. Additional language skills may be beneficial, particularly in languages relevant to the regions where the foundation operates, such as Spanish, French, or other languages spoken in low- and middle-income countries.

Additional Notes:
This is a full-time, 12-month limited term position. Candidates must have the legal right to work in the United States without requiring visa sponsorship. The fellowship offers a competitive salary range of $148,920 to $162,350, depending on the work location. The foundation provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement contributions, paid time off, and various employee assistance programs. The application deadline is by the end of the day on September 17, 2025, for consideration in the November 2025 cohort.