Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping industries, governments, and societies worldwide. As AI systems become increasingly powerful, the need for skilled professionals capable of developing effective governance frameworks, safety policies, and risk mitigation strategies has never been greater. To help address this growing global challenge, Arcadia Impact has opened applications for its AI Governance Taskforce Autumn 2026 Cohort, a prestigious research programme designed for experienced professionals who want to transition into frontier AI governance.
This highly selective programme offers participants an opportunity to conduct policy-relevant AI governance research alongside internationally recognized experts while maintaining their current professional commitments. Running over 12 weeks on a part-time basis, the programme is fully remote and welcomes applicants from around the world.
Although voluntary and unpaid, the fellowship provides invaluable exposure, professional networking opportunities, practical research experience, and a proven pathway into careers focused on AI governance, AI safety, and policy development.
About the Arcadia Impact AI Governance Taskforce
The AI Governance Taskforce is a specialized research programme that supports experienced professionals seeking to transition into careers focused on reducing catastrophic and systemic risks associated with transformative artificial intelligence.
Unlike many AI education programmes that focus on technical development or AI ethics generally, the AI Governance Taskforce specifically concentrates on frontier AI governance. Participants work on policy-focused research designed to improve governance systems capable of addressing advanced AI risks before they become major global threats.
The programme enables professionals from diverse disciplines to apply their existing expertise to one of the world’s fastest-growing policy areas while receiving mentorship from leaders in AI governance and safety.
Why This Programme Matters
As governments, international organizations, and technology companies race to regulate increasingly advanced AI systems, there is a significant global shortage of professionals who understand both public policy and frontier AI governance.
Arcadia Impact created the AI Governance Taskforce to bridge this gap by providing professionals with:
- Practical research experience
- Exposure to real-world AI governance challenges
- High-level mentorship
- Collaborative policy development experience
- Professional networks within the AI safety community
Participants leave the programme with stronger credentials that position them for future opportunities in AI governance, research, public policy, and international organizations.
Programme Overview
The Autumn 2026 cohort has been carefully structured to accommodate working professionals.
Programme Details
- Programme Duration: 12 weeks
- Programme Dates: 12 October 2026 – 15 January 2027
- Year-End Break: Two-week holiday break between 18 December 2026 and 4 January 2027
- Commitment: Approximately 8 hours per week
- Delivery Mode: Fully remote
- Location: Global
- Programme Type: Voluntary and unpaid
- Available Positions: Approximately 20 Research Associate places
Participants can continue with their existing careers while contributing to meaningful AI governance research.
What Participants Will Do
Research Associates become members of multidisciplinary research teams composed of four individuals.
Each team works closely with:
- A dedicated Research Team Leader
- A leading AI governance expert
- Other experienced professionals from diverse disciplines
Together, they investigate pressing AI governance questions and produce policy-oriented research intended to influence real-world decision-making.
Typical research outputs include:
- Academic-style preprint papers
- Policy briefs
- Government policy memoranda
- Research articles
- Stakeholder reports
These publications are designed to address challenges surrounding advanced AI governance and catastrophic AI risks.
Learn from World-Leading AI Governance Experts
Participants receive direct guidance from senior practitioners working across some of the world’s most respected AI safety and governance organizations.
Expert partners have included professionals affiliated with:
- UK AI Security Institute (AISI)
- Centre for the Governance of AI (GovAI)
- AI Incident Database (AIID)
- MIT AI Risk Initiative (AIRI)
- Centre for Long-Term Resilience (CLTR)
- SaferAI
- The Future Society
- Future of Life Institute (FLI)
- Leading universities and academic institutions
Research Team Leaders work alongside these experts to ensure projects remain academically rigorous and policy relevant.
Areas of Research
Projects typically focus on governance challenges surrounding frontier AI systems.
Examples include:
- AI incident monitoring
- AI governance frameworks
- AI safety cases
- International AI policy
- Frontier AI regulation
- AI risk management
- Open-source intelligence for AI governance
- Dangerous capability thresholds
- AI accountability mechanisms
- Loss-of-control scenarios
- International governance infrastructure
Research themes evolve with emerging developments in AI governance.
Outstanding Career Outcomes for Alumni
One of the strongest features of the AI Governance Taskforce is its exceptional alumni network.
Graduates have progressed into positions at organizations including:
- Google DeepMind
- SaferAI
- ControlAI
- Pour Demain
- Oxford Martin AI Governance Initiative
- MIT AI Risk Initiative
- Centre for Long-Term Resilience
- The Future Society
- GovAI
- IAPS
- Future Impact Group
Many alumni have also:
- Secured research management positions
- Joined international AI governance fellowships
- Collaborated with renowned AI researcher Yoshua Bengio
- Started independent AI governance initiatives
- Returned to the Taskforce as Research Team Leaders
These achievements demonstrate the programme’s effectiveness as a launchpad for careers in frontier AI governance.
International Recognition of Research
Research produced through the Taskforce has received significant international recognition.
Achievements include:
- Acceptance at the International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML) Technical AI Governance Workshop
- Best Paper Award recognition
- Co-authorship opportunities with expert partners
- Features in Time Magazine
- Coverage in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
- Publication in the AI Policy Bulletin
These accomplishments reflect the quality and impact of the programme’s research outputs.
Who Should Apply?
Arcadia Impact is seeking motivated professionals who have already begun transitioning toward careers in frontier AI governance.
Applicants should demonstrate genuine commitment rather than simply exploring the field.
Professionals from a wide variety of disciplines are encouraged to apply, including:
- Law
- Public Policy
- Economics
- Political Science
- International Relations
- Engineering
- Machine Learning
- Software Engineering
- Systems Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Safety Engineering
- Computer Science
- Philosophy
- Social Sciences
- Humanities
- Management
Applicants do not need to possess deep technical AI expertise.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should be able to:
- Commit approximately eight hours per week throughout the programme.
- Work effectively within a structured remote research team.
- Demonstrate commitment to reducing catastrophic risks from frontier AI.
- Show evidence of progressing toward a career in AI governance.
- Communicate clearly through writing and research.
- Exercise sound judgement when evaluating AI governance challenges.
- Work independently with minimal supervision.
Arcadia Impact encourages applications even from candidates who meet only part of the preferred profile.
What the Selection Committee Looks For
Applications are assessed using several criteria, including:
1. Motivation
Candidates should demonstrate a clear commitment to transitioning into frontier AI governance.
2. Awareness of the AI Landscape
Applicants should understand:
- Frontier AI capabilities
- Emerging AI risks
- Key organizations
- Existing governance initiatives
3. Transferable Expertise
Professional knowledge from previous careers should be applicable to AI governance research.
4. Research Skills
Strong reasoning, writing, analytical thinking, and policy research skills are highly valued.
5. Independent Initiative
Candidates should show evidence of creating opportunities independently and pursuing meaningful work without needing formal structures.
Application Process
The Autumn 2026 selection process consists of four stages.
Stage One – General Application
Applicants submit:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Short written responses
No writing sample is required.
Stage Two – Project Application
Shortlisted candidates receive:
- Project briefs
- A short written task related to their preferred project
Stage Three – Interview
Successful applicants participate in an online interview where they discuss:
- Motivation
- Experience
- Research interests
- Career goals
Stage Four – Offers
Selected candidates receive offers to join a specific research team.
Approximately 20 Research Associate positions will be available.
Important Dates
Applicants should carefully note the following timeline:
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | 5 August 2026 |
| General Application Deadline | 31 August 2026 (Anywhere on Earth) |
| Stage Two Invitations | By 7 September 2026 |
| Project Applications Due | 13 September 2026 |
| Interview Invitations | 21 September 2026 |
| Interviews | Late September 2026 |
| Offers Issued | Week commencing 5 October 2026 |
| Programme Begins | 12 October 2026 |
| Programme Ends | 15 January 2027 |
Why You Should Apply
Although the programme is unpaid, participants receive benefits that can significantly accelerate careers in AI governance.
These include:
- Working directly with internationally recognized AI governance experts
- Building a strong professional network
- Producing publishable policy research
- Strengthening research credentials
- Gaining exposure to real-world AI governance challenges
- Improving opportunities for future fellowships and employment
- Collaborating with professionals from multiple disciplines
- Contributing to research that influences AI policy discussions worldwide
For professionals committed to shaping the future of AI governance, this represents an exceptional learning and career development opportunity.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their application through the official Arcadia Impact application portal before the deadline.
Applicants with questions about the programme may contact:
Ben R Smith
Taskforce Lead
Email: ben [at] arcadiaimpact [dot] org
Application Deadline
Applications close at 23:59 Anywhere on Earth (AoE) on Monday, 31 August 2026 (12:59 BST on Tuesday, 1 September 2026).
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications well before the deadline due to the competitive selection process.
Visit HERE to learn more about the Arcadia Impact AI Governance Taskforce Autumn 2026.
Conclusion
The Arcadia Impact AI Governance Taskforce Autumn 2026 Cohort offers an outstanding opportunity for experienced professionals who want to transition into one of the world’s most important emerging fields. Through expert mentorship, collaborative research, international networking, and hands-on policy development, participants gain the experience and credibility needed to contribute meaningfully to frontier AI governance.
Whether your background is in law, engineering, public policy, economics, philosophy, political science, or another discipline, this programme provides a structured pathway into AI governance while allowing you to continue your current professional commitments. Given the programme’s strong alumni outcomes and international recognition, professionals interested in shaping the future governance of transformative AI should strongly consider applying.
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