Announcing the BASE Fellowship: Empowering the Black Diaspora in AI Safety and Ethics

Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to form practically each facet of recent life — from international governance and financial programs to healthcare and training. Yet, as the know-how quickly advances, so do the challenges associated to its security, ethics, and equitable use. Recognizing the pressing want for numerous voices in this important discipline, the Black in AI Safety and Ethics (BASE) Fellowship has launched to empower members of the Black Diaspora to interact deeply with and affect the way forward for AI.

The BASE Fellowship is a 12-week, part-time distant program tentatively set to start in April 2026. It combines immersive coaching, mentorship, and hands-on venture expertise to arrange contributors to contribute meaningfully to the international dialog on AI security, governance, and safety.

About the BASE Fellowship

The fellowship begins with 4 weeks of intensive, immersive coaching, introducing contributors to key ideas in AI security and ethics. Fellows will discover important subjects resembling AI governance frameworks, algorithmic bias, knowledge privateness, threat administration, and the societal impacts of rising applied sciences.

Following this foundational part, contributors will spend eight weeks engaged on mentored initiatives, making use of their new information to real-world challenges. These initiatives will give attention to advancing moral and safe AI growth whereas making certain that underrepresented communities have a voice in shaping know-how’s trajectory.

Through knowledgeable steering and collaboration, the BASE Fellowship goals to create a community of leaders geared up to deal with the complicated intersections between AI innovation and social accountability.

Mentorship and Expert Guidance

The program’s mentorship part is central to its design. Fellows may have the alternative to work intently with skilled professionals who’re leaders in AI security and governance. The 2026 cohort can be guided by an inspiring crew of mentors, together with Krystal Jackson, Heramb Podar, and others who deliver a wealth of expertise in know-how, ethics, and international coverage.

These mentors will assist contributors in refining their analysis, increasing their skilled networks, and exploring profession pathways in the discipline of accountable AI. The mentorship expertise is meant to not solely construct technical information but in addition to foster a way of belonging and confidence amongst fellows navigating the quickly evolving AI panorama.

Why This Fellowship Matters

AI is reworking the world at an unprecedented tempo, influencing every little thing from nationwide safety to local weather response. However, the growth and governance of AI have usually lacked range — significantly the inclusion of Black professionals and researchers. This imbalance limits the scope of views shaping the way forward for know-how and can inadvertently reinforce current inequalities.

The BASE Fellowship seeks to alter that by empowering Black voices to guide in the international AI dialog. By investing in training, mentorship, and utilized studying, BASE helps to make sure that future developments in synthetic intelligence are moral, inclusive, and socially accountable.

This initiative aligns with a rising motion towards higher illustration in tech ethics and security, recognizing {that a} numerous pool of specialists is crucial for figuring out dangers, designing honest programs, and making certain that know-how advantages all communities equitably.

Join the BASE Community

The Spring 2026 Call for Fellows is now open to people throughout the Black Diaspora who’re enthusiastic about AI ethics, security, and governance. The program can be inviting mentors who’re desperate to information the subsequent era of innovators in accountable AI.

Interested contributors can specific their curiosity by means of the official type obtainable on the BASE Fellowship web site.

By constructing a worldwide group of students, practitioners, and mentors, the BASE Fellowship helps to form an AI ecosystem that values range, safeguards humanity, and drives moral innovation for a sustainable future.

Tentative Launch: April 2026
Program Duration: 12 weeks (part-time, distant)
Application Information: Interest kinds for each mentors and fellows are open on the BASE Fellowship web site.

Learn extra and apply HERE.

Click right here for extra alternatives.

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