YOUR GO-TO INTELLIGENCE RESOURCE FOR THE SCHOLARLY PUBLISHING INDUSTRY

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has moved with unprecedented speed to create a specialized artificial intelligence (AI) fellowship program aimed at providing critical support to policymakers in Congress. This initiative comes as Capitol Hill experiences a surge of interest in crafting legislation and policies addressing the myriad opportunities and challenges presented by AI, particularly in the wake of the public release of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools.

The newly established STPF Rapid Response Cohort in AI operates under the umbrella of the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships (STPF) program, marking a historic milestone in its 50-year history. Comprising six distinguished scientists, this cohort will serve as expert staff within congressional offices and committees, embarking on year-long assignments to offer guidance on pressing AI-related issues. These include AI ethics, information integrity, intellectual property, human rights, and algorithmic risk.

The selected AI fellows were chosen for their deep expertise in the complexities of AI technology development and deployment. They will play a pivotal role in helping policymakers and their staff understand the conceptual workings of AI, as well as the technical, economic, and social implications associated with its widespread use. Notably, these fellows had only two weeks to apply and two more weeks to conclude their personal and professional commitments, including relocating their households to Washington, D.C.

The STPF program received a remarkable response to the AI cohort program, with over 130 applications from scientists and engineers with AI expertise. This underscores the recognized need for AI technical expertise in Congress during this pivotal moment in public policy. The AI fellowship class is sponsored by a consortium of foundations, corporations, and individuals who recognize the significance of AI expertise on Capitol Hill.

This rapid response initiative by AAAS exemplifies its commitment to facilitating informed policymaking and advancing our understanding of AI's impact on society and governance.