The Foundation

We are the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. We believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities. As a workplace, we’re committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally.

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The Team

Our mission is to harness the power of artificial intelligence to bridge the digital divide, with a focus on ensuring AI is deployed ethically and equitably to benefit low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). As large language models continue to advance, we are committed to unlocking AI’s potential to drive innovative development solutions tailored to the needs of LMICs. Our portfolio of initiatives is wide-ranging—spanning the design of new AI applications for decision support and conversational interventions, as well as advancing technical product development and impact in health, education, and agriculture. Building on the momentum of early proof-of-concept projects, our goal is to ensure that the benefits of AI are inclusive, reaching all segments of society.

Please apply by EOD Friday, September 19 to be considered for the November 2025 cohort.

*Note: This is a 12-month limited term position. Candidates must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.

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Your Role

The AI Fellows Program at the Gates Foundation is designed to accelerate the responsible and impactful use of AI in global health, development, and education. Our goal is to attract top-tier, mission-aligned AI talent to drive innovation in these areas. As a Gates AI Fellow, you will join a prestigious cohort applying AI for public good and gain career-defining experience, access to Gates’ powerful network, and exposure to senior leadership.

This role offers the unique opportunity to collaborate across multiple divisions within the Foundation—including Global Health (GH), Gender Equality (GE), Global Development (GD), and Global Growth & Opportunity (GGO)—all of which are leveraging AI to accelerate progress toward their strategic goals and objectives.

Over the course of 12 months, each AI Fellow will be assigned to high-priority projects, embedded within Strategic Initiatives or relevant Programmatic Strategy Teams (PSTs). Sample project areas will include:

• Developing agent-based data tools and dashboards (e.g., periodic AI-generated insights).
• Building AI-powered prediction models for simple diagnostics.
• Designing and running lightweight A/B tests to validate concepts quickly.
• Building chatbots and interactive prototypes for pre-field assessment.
• Pressure-testing or adapting tools developed by Foundation partners and grantees for usability and adoption.
• Embedding AI agents in flagship Foundation databases or workflows.

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What You’ll Do

Problem Identification & Scoping

• Identify, frame, and prioritize real-world challenges in collaboration with program teams, ensuring solutions are grounded in user needs and local realities.

Prototyping & Rapid Experimentation

• Prototype rapidly with modern LLM and AI tools to test feasibility, generate insights, and create lightweight demos.
• Document learnings from prototypes and translate them into actionable recommendations for scale or next steps.

Design and Deliver AI Solutions

• Design and implement AI/ML models to address challenges in global health, development, agriculture, diagnostics, or education.
• Conduct rigorous model evaluation and validation, ensuring accuracy, fairness, and real-world applicability.
• Prepare, curate, and manage datasets, ensuring data integrity, security, and ethical use.
• Develop high-quality, reliable software, applying strong engineering practices such as clean code, version control, and robust testing.
• Leverage large language models (LLMs), including deployment, fine-tuning, and adaptation to specific use cases.

Teaching & Capacity Building

• Develop and deliver workshops, guides, and playbooks to enable Foundation staff and partners to use LLM tools effectively in their own work.
• Mentor program teams and local partners in applying AI responsibly, with a focus on usability and adoption in LMIC contexts.

Collaborate Across Teams and Partners

• Apply interdisciplinary problem-solving skills to translate AI research into practical solutions across multiple domains.
• Communicate technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, enabling shared understanding and informed decision-making.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across disciplines and geographies to co-design and deliver impactful solutions.
• Facilitate workshops and training sessions to demystify AI tools, enabling teams to directly apply solutions to their workflows.

Advance Responsible and Ethical AI

• Embed equity, bias mitigation, and data privacy in all technical approaches.
• Ensure prototypes are designed with explainability in mind, making them accessible to non-technical stakeholders.
• Align AI solutions with the Foundation’s mission and global health and development goals.
• Share thought leadership by integrating prior academic, research, or professional experiences to advance the responsible and impactful use of AI.

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Your Experience

We are looking for fellows who represent a balance of technical competence and alignment with Foundation values.

• Education: Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Applied Math or relevant field).
• AI Technology: Proficiency in ML/AI modeling, software engineering, model evaluation, LLM deployment, and data wrangling, with evidence of applied coursework, research, internships, or early professional experience.
• AI Applications: Demonstrated interest in applying AI to fields such as health systems, agriculture, diagnostics, or education, with enthusiasm and literacy to use modern AI tools safely and pragmatically (direct AI research experience not required).
• Collaborative Mindset: Strong teamwork and adaptability, with experience working cross-functionally in complex environments.
• Communication Skills: Demonstrated ability to clearly articulate technical concepts and recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Mission-Driven Ethos: Deep motivation to apply AI responsibly for public good, with alignment to equitable development and global health impact.
• Builder and Teacher Mindset : Hands-on experience building prototypes with LLMs (e.g., using open-source tools or API-based platforms) and a willingness to share learnings openly. Ability to teach and enable others, not just deliver technical outputs.

Why you should consider becoming a Gates AI Fellow

• Apply AI where it matters most: Work on problems core to the Foundation’s mission—health, development, and education so more people can live healthy, productive lives.
• Drive outsized results in LMICs: Aim solutions at countries and communities the Foundation prioritizes, where innovation can move the needle fastest.
• Advance digital public goods: Contribute to safe, inclusive digital public infrastructure and health innovation efforts where AI can accelerate access and equity. Partner with Program Strategy Teams to deliver tangible prototypes, tools, and analyses.
• Tap into a uniquely powerful network: Collaborate across multilaterals, NGOs, academia, and industry through the Foundation’s partnership model.
• Stand on a global platform: Benefit from the credibility and reach of a foundation funding work in over 140 countries.
• Lead from day one: Own high-priority projects with clear outcomes and stakeholders.
• Grow faster with expert mentorship: Learn from leaders across AI, health, development, and policy while building a portfolio of real-world impact.
• Compensation: The fellowship offers a starting salary of $148,920–$162,350, depending on work location. To ensure equity, all AI Fellows receive the same compensation within this structure.
• Benefits: We believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities. As a workplace, we’re committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally.
  • Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage: The foundation pays 100% of monthly premiums for medical, vision, dental, identity theft protection, and the employee assistance program for employees, spouses/domestic partners, and children to age 26, as well as basic life insurance, disability, business travel accident, and emergency travel assistance for eligible employees.
  • Foundation Sharing Retirement Plan: The foundation contributes an amount equal to 15% of eligible employee compensation (subject to IRS limitations*) quarterly to the foundation sharing plan on your behalf.
  • Vacation Time: You may take the time you need for vacation so you can return to work able to contribute fully to the foundation’s mission. The approval of time off requests is subject to business needs, reasonable management discretion, and your professional commitments. You are eligible to accrue paid time off for vacation at a rate equivalent to 20 days per year.
  • Sick Time: You are eligible for up to 12 paid sick days
  • Personal Time & Holidays: In addition to vacation and sick time, the foundation provides personal days, paid holidays, and end-of-year closure which are prorated based on your start date.
  • Employee Matching Gifts: The foundation will match employee contributions up to $10,000 per year to eligible organizations at a rate of three dollars for every one dollar contributed.
  • Additional Benefits: Caregiver Leave, Parental Bonding Leave, and more.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Who is eligible to apply?
A: Applicants must hold at least a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Applied Math, or a related field. You must also have the legal right to work in the country where the position is based, as visa sponsorship is not available.

Q: Do I need prior experience in global health or development?
A: Not necessarily. While experience is helpful, what matters most is demonstrated technical competence in AI/ML and a strong motivation to apply AI responsibly for public good.

Q: When is the application deadline?
A: Applications are due by EOD Friday, September 17, 2025 to be considered for the November 2025 cohort.

Q: What is the application process for the AI Fellowship Program?
A: While the process may evolve based on business needs, all applicants can generally expect the following steps:

• Application Review – Your application will be carefully reviewed by a team dedicated to this program.
• Technical Assessment – Qualified candidates will be invited to complete a technical exercise.
• Talent Acquisition Conversation – Candidates who pass the assessment will have an informational conversation with a Talent Acquisition colleague.
• Final Interviews – A combination of technical and behavioral panel-style interviews with foundation stakeholders.

Note: The order of these steps may be adjusted as needed based on business requirements.

Q: Is this a full-time position?
A: Yes. Fellows are full-time employees of the Gates Foundation for the duration of the 12-month fellowship.

Q: Where will Fellows be located?
A: Fellows can be based remotely in the U.S. or in the Seattle, WA office. Some roles may involve international travel (up to 30%).

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Hiring Requirements

As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

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Candidate Accommodations

If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request here.

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Inclusion Statement

We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We strive for a global and cultural workplace that supports ever greater diversity, equity, and inclusion — of voices, ideas, and approaches — and we support this diversity through all our employment practices.

All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve our mission will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity.

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