Conservative AI Policy Fellowship

The Foundation for American Innovation’s Conservative AI Policy Fellowship (CAPF) is an eight-week, part-time fellowship for conservative policy professionals in Washington, DC, seeking to understand Super Intelligence (SI) and the debates around emerging technology.

Fellows meet weekly alongside leading technologists and policy experts to discuss key issues around SI and American prosperity. Through these sessions and a weekend retreat, fellows build a practical understanding of SI’s trajectory and the policy choices that will shape American leadership.

At a Glance

• Mix of weekday lunch and dinner sessions: Weekly sessions with discussions and group activities led by SI experts: 12:00–1:30 p.m., 6:30–8:00 p.m.
• Weekend Retreat: A weekend retreat in February with intensive workshops, collaborative projects, and networking.
• Location: All weekday sessions are held at the FAI office on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
• Cost: Fully funded; all meals and retreat expenses are covered in line with government ethics rules. Fellows are eligible to receive a $1,500 stipend.

Featured Topics

• Overview of SI: The basics of SI from a policy perspective.
• National Security & Defense: SI’s implications for U.S. national security.
• Powering American SI: Strategies for energy dominance and reindustrialization.
• SI Competition: Chips, export controls, and technological competition with China.
• Labor & Market Policy: Economic forecasts and labor-market effects of SI.
• Safety & Family: SI’s impact on children and the family.

Previously Featured Speakers

• Sam Hammond, Director of Super Intelligence and Chief Economist at FAI
• Shyam Sankar, CTO of Palantir Technologies
• Alexei Bulazel, Special Assistant to the President and National Security Council Senior Director for Cyber
• Tim Fist, Director of Emerging Technology Policy at Institute for Progress

Who Should Apply

We welcome applicants across the conservative policy landscape who are interested in shaping major decisions about Super Intelligence and emerging technology.

The fellowship is particularly well suited for:

• Congressional staff and executive branch officials whose work intersects with technology, national security, economic policy, energy, or related issues;
• Policy researchers, think tank staff, and other practitioners working on consequential questions involving SI and emerging technology;
• Professionals in the technology sector who are interested in transitioning into an SI policy career; and
• Exceptional early-career applicants who demonstrate strong judgment, intellectual curiosity, and a serious interest in pursuing work in SI policy.

Applicants do not need prior technical expertise. We are particularly interested in people who bring strong policy judgment, an ability to engage seriously with competing perspectives, and an interest in the broader economic, national-security, and societal implications of advanced SI.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time should I expect to commit each week?

Fellows should plan for approximately 2–3 hours during a typical week. This generally includes:

• One 90-minute lunchtime or evening session;
• Approximately 30–60 minutes of reading or preparation; and
• Periodic work on a short policy memo or project.

Fellows are also required to attend the full weekend retreat, from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. Because discussion and cohort participation are central to the program, attendance at the regular sessions is required.

Where will the sessions be held?

All sessions will take place at the FAI office on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, within walking distance of the Senate office buildings, the U.S. Capitol, and Union Station. Specific locations will be provided to accepted fellows.

What happens if I have a work conflict with one of the sessions?

The attendance policy is strictly enforced. We recommend checking your calendar carefully before accepting an offer and securing any needed permissions from your employer. If you are already aware of a conflict, please indicate this in your application and we will do our best to accommodate.

Can government employees participate in the fellowship?

Yes. Government employees have participated in previous cohorts. Depending on your employer and position, participation in the fellowship, acceptance of the stipend, or other program benefits may be subject to applicable ethics rules. Fellows are responsible for obtaining any necessary approval from their agency or organization prior to accepting their offer.

FAI is happy to provide additional information about the program, stipend, meals, retreat expenses, and other benefits directly to applicants or their ethics office upon request.

Note: It is the responsibility of each fellow to verify with his or her organization’s ethics office whether accepting a stipend is permitted.

What makes for a strong application?

Strong applicants will give us a clear sense of why SI policy matters to their work and where they hope to have an impact.

We are particularly interested in applicants who can demonstrate:

• A serious interest in consequential questions surrounding SI;
• Strong professional or academic performance and evidence of initiative, ambition, or leadership;
• Thoughtful judgment about SI policy, including an ability to recognize tradeoffs and engage seriously with competing perspectives;
• A clear connection between the fellowship and their current work or longer-term professional goals; and
• Curiosity about questions beyond their existing area of expertise.

Prior technical experience can strengthen an application, but it is not required. We welcome applicants who are relatively new to SI policy if they can demonstrate strong policy aptitude and a compelling reason to engage with the field.

Do I need technical expertise in Super Intelligence?

No technical background is required. The program is designed for policy professionals who want to develop or deepen their SI literacy.

What is expected for the policy memo or project?

Fellows will receive guidance from their assigned mentor throughout the drafting process, and present an overview of their project during the second half of the fellowship.

Still have questions? Email us at fellowships@fai.org.

Still have questions? Email us at fellowships@thefai.org.