Application Guide

How to Apply for Program and Research Lead, AI, Labour, and Economy

at Partnership on AI

🏢 About Partnership on AI

Partnership on AI is a unique nonprofit coalition focused exclusively on the responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence. Unlike corporate AI labs, it brings together diverse stakeholders from industry, academia, and civil society to develop practical guidelines and research that benefit society. Working here offers the opportunity to shape global AI policy and practice from a neutral, mission-driven perspective.

About This Role

This role leads research and programming on how AI transforms labor markets and economic systems worldwide, requiring both deep analytical work and stakeholder engagement. You'll synthesize complex research into actionable insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and labor organizations while managing multi-stakeholder projects. The position is impactful because it directly shapes how AI affects workers' livelihoods and economic equity globally.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve synthesizing research findings from academic papers on automation trends, then facilitating a virtual steering committee meeting with representatives from tech companies, labor unions, and international organizations. You could spend the afternoon drafting policy recommendations based on that research while coordinating with international partners across time zones for an upcoming workshop series.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Partnership on AI Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years experience leading research initiatives on technology's socioeconomic impacts, preferably with published reports or policy papers
  • Demonstrates proven ability to convene and facilitate dialogue between conflicting stakeholder groups (e.g., tech companies and labor unions)
  • Possesses deep knowledge of both AI technologies and labor economics, with understanding of topics like automation, job displacement, and skills transitions
  • Shows experience managing complex, multi-year projects with international partners and diverse funding sources

📝 Tips for Applying to Partnership on AI

1

Highlight specific examples where you've bridged divides between industry and labor/civil society groups in previous roles

2

Include concrete metrics about research impact (e.g., 'research cited in X policy documents' or 'program reached Y stakeholders') rather than just listing responsibilities

3

Demonstrate knowledge of PAI's existing work on labor/AI by referencing specific publications like their 'Work of the Future' reports

4

Show remote collaboration experience with examples of managing distributed teams or international partnerships

5

Tailor your examples to PAI's coalition model - emphasize consensus-building rather than unilateral decision-making

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience synthesizing technical AI concepts for non-technical audiences (policymakers, labor leaders, etc.)', 'Specific examples of managing multi-stakeholder projects with competing interests', "How your research philosophy aligns with PAI's mission of responsible, equitable AI development", 'Your vision for addressing one specific labor/AI challenge (e.g., gig worker protections, skills retraining, global wage impacts)']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review PAI's 'Work of the Future' reports and their 'Responsible Practices for Workforce Transitions' framework
  • → Study PAI's coalition members (like ACLU, OpenAI, IEEE) to understand the diverse perspectives you'll be balancing
  • → Examine PAI's past convenings and workshops on labor topics to understand their facilitation approach
  • → Research PAI's funding model and how it maintains independence while partnering with tech companies
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you design a research program to assess AI's impact on middle-skill jobs in developing economies?
2 Describe a time you facilitated agreement between stakeholders with fundamentally opposed positions on technology policy
3 What metrics would you use to evaluate the success of PAI's labor and economy programming?
4 How would you approach creating actionable guidelines for responsible AI implementation that both tech companies and labor unions would accept?
5 What existing PAI publication or initiative on labor/AI would you expand upon, and how?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing exclusively on technical AI expertise without demonstrating understanding of labor economics or social impact
  • Presenting as an advocate for one stakeholder group rather than a neutral convener and researcher
  • Using generic AI ethics language without concrete examples of implementing responsible AI practices in real-world contexts
  • Failing to demonstrate experience with the nonprofit/coalition model of working

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

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!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Partnership on AI!

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