Application Guide

How to Apply for Course, National Security Law and AI (Summer 2026)

at Vista Institute for AI Policy

🏢 About Vista Institute for AI Policy

Vista Institute for AI Policy is a focused think tank dedicated to informing evidence-based policymaking on AI challenges and opportunities. Their unique emphasis on national security law and AI, coupled with a remote-first culture, offers a chance to shape critical discourse at the intersection of technology and law.

About This Role

This role involves designing and delivering a live, expert-led course on national security law as applied to advanced AI systems, covering US domestic policy, global governance, and military applications. It is impactful because it directly equips policymakers and professionals with the legal frameworks needed to address AI-driven threats like misuse, theft, and autonomous systems.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve preparing for an upcoming live session by reviewing recent AI policy developments and updating readings, then leading a 90-minute interactive discussion with students on a topic like the legal implications of AI surveillance. Afterward, you'd participate in a planning call with Vista staff to refine the next session's content and respond to student questions on the discussion forum.

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🎯 Who Vista Institute for AI Policy Is Looking For

  • Deep expertise in national security law with specific knowledge of how it applies to AI, including areas like surveillance, autonomous systems, and cyber operations.
  • Proven experience leading live, interactive sessions (e.g., university teaching, professional workshops) and developing original course content with readings and discussion groups.
  • Familiarity with all three concentration areas: US Domestic AI Policy (e.g., executive orders, export controls), Global AI Governance (e.g., EU AI Act, UN processes), and Military Applications of AI (e.g., LAWS, deterrence).
  • Ability to translate complex legal and technical concepts for a diverse audience of policymakers, lawyers, and technologists.

📝 Tips for Applying to Vista Institute for AI Policy

1

Tailor your CV to highlight specific experience teaching or developing courses on national security law and AI, including any syllabi you've created.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your expertise to each of the three concentration areas (US Domestic, Global Governance, Military) with concrete examples.

3

Prepare a brief sample session outline or reading list for one of the concentrations to demonstrate your content development approach.

4

Mention any experience with remote teaching tools (e.g., Zoom, discussion forums) and how you engage students in a virtual setting.

5

Research Vista Institute's recent publications or policy briefs and reference them to show you understand their mission and current focus.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific expertise in national security law as it applies to AI, including any relevant legal practice, scholarship, or policy work.', 'Your teaching philosophy and methods for leading live, interactive sessions, especially in a remote environment.', 'How your background aligns with all three concentration areas, providing at least one concrete example per area.', "Your interest in Vista Institute's specific mission to promote informed policymaking and how this course fits into that goal."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Vista Institute's published reports and blog posts on topics like AI and national security, especially any by their current fellows.
  • → Look into their previous course offerings (if any) or similar programs they've hosted to understand their pedagogical style.
  • → Familiarize yourself with key US policy documents they reference, such as the National Security Memorandum on AI or the DoD's AI strategy.
  • → Check their team page to identify potential collaborators or interviewers and understand their expertise areas.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you design a session on the legal challenges of autonomous weapons systems under international humanitarian law?
2 Can you walk us through a current US national security law issue related to AI (e.g., export controls on chips) and how you would teach it?
3 What are the key differences between US and EU approaches to AI governance, and how would you cover them in a session?
4 How do you ensure student engagement and participation in a remote, live course with 9-12 sessions?
5 How would you update the course content to reflect rapidly evolving AI policy developments between now and Summer 2026?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic teaching CV without emphasizing national security law and AI specifically.
  • Focusing only on one concentration (e.g., military applications) without demonstrating breadth across all three.
  • Ignoring the remote, live-session format—don't propose a pre-recorded or purely lecture-based approach.

📅 Application Timeline

⏰ Deadline: July 19, 2026

We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

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Good luck with your application to Vista Institute for AI Policy!

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