Conservative AI Policy Fellowship

Policy Hackers

Applications for the summer 2025 fellowship are closed.

Please register your interest if you'd like to be notified when applications open for the next cohort.

Training the Next Generation

The Conservative AI Policy Fellowship (CAPF) is a six-week, part-time (work-compatible) fellowship for conservative policy professionals in Washington D.C. seeking to understand artificial intelligence (AI) and the policy debates surrounding emerging technology.

Structured for early- to mid-career professionals, the fellowship provides a manageable yet immersive experience. The program's centerpiece is an intensive weekend retreat designed for deeper engagement and network-building, supplemented by practical exercises and policy simulations. Fellows will gain the tools and insights necessary to develop thoughtful and effective AI policies rooted in conservative principles.

Join the Foundation for American Innovation’s network of policy scholars and technologists to explore questions such as:

  • What does a conservative vision for AI policy look like?
  • How can policymakers foster innovation while mitigating AI’s risks to national security?
  • What frameworks are needed to ensure that the US maintains leadership in AI amid intensifying competition with China?
  • How should policymakers address concerns around privacy, copyright, and potential disruptions to the workforce?

Fellows will engage directly with these and related questions through interactive workshops, expert-led seminars, and exclusive networking events.

About the Fellows

As AI reshapes our economy, society, and national security, the American Right needs policy professionals who understand the technology and how to govern AI effectively. By joining this cohort, you will:

  • Gain Specialized Expertise: Develop AI policy knowledge that sets you apart in Washington, D.C.
  • Build Your Network: Connect with leaders in tech policy across government, industry and civil society
  • Make Real Impact: Develop policy solutions that protect innovation while addressing legitimate governing concerns
  • Receive Mentorship: Receive career guidance through one-on-one mentorship from experienced tech policy professionals
  • Advance Your Career: Earn a Certificate in AI Policy Leadership from the Foundation for American Innovation upon successful completion

Featured Topics

  • The basics of AI from a policy perspective
  • AI’s implications for U.S. national security
  • Chips, export controls, and technological competition with China
  • Strategies for energy dominance and reindustrialization
  • The intersections of AI and privacy, copyright, and open source

Who Should Apply

We welcome applications from anyone from the broader policy community with an interest in learning more about AI. Applicants often are (but not limited to) early- to mid-career professionals from one of the following areas:

  • Policy analysts at think tanks
  • Staff at advocacy organizations
  • Legal professionals
  • Employees of the US government
  • Private-sector tech professionals
  • Exceptional interns or recent graduates

All fellows receive the same consideration regardless of employer. Fellows must be US citizens. No previous experience with AI policy is required.

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