Application Guide
How to Apply for Transformative AI Engagement Officer
at AI Security Institute (AISI)
🏢 About AI Security Institute (AISI)
The AI Security Institute (AISI) is a UK-based organization at the forefront of developing practical AI safety standards and governance frameworks. Unlike purely research-focused institutions, AISI bridges the gap between technical AI safety research and real-world policy implementation, making it a unique place to drive tangible impact. Working here offers the opportunity to shape the global conversation on responsible AI development at a critical juncture.
About This Role
As a Transformative AI Engagement Officer, you will be the linchpin connecting AISI's technical research with external stakeholders, including policymakers, AI developers, and civil society. This role is impactful because you'll directly translate complex AI safety findings into actionable outreach strategies and partnerships, helping to build a safer AI ecosystem. Your work will ensure that governance keeps pace with rapid technological advancement.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start by reviewing the latest technical findings from an internal research team on AI model evaluations, then drafting a summary for a policy briefing. In the afternoon, you could be leading a virtual workshop with AI developers to discuss implementing new safety protocols, followed by coordinating with a civil society partner to plan a joint public awareness campaign. The role balances deep-dive analysis with dynamic external facilitation.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who AI Security Institute (AISI) Is Looking For
- Has 2-3 years of hands-on experience in technology policy stakeholder engagement, public affairs, or government relations, specifically within the UK or EU tech governance landscape.
- Demonstrates a working knowledge of current AI safety frameworks (e.g., UK AI Safety Institute principles, EU AI Act, leading research from groups like Anthropic or DeepMind) and can discuss their practical implications.
- Is a proven translator who can distill technical AI safety research from AISI's teams into clear, compelling narratives for non-technical audiences like policymakers or community groups.
- Thrives in a matrixed environment, proactively building bridges between internal researchers and external partners, with a track record of facilitating collaborative workshops or multi-stakeholder initiatives.
📝 Tips for Applying to AI Security Institute (AISI)
Tailor your resume to highlight specific projects where you engaged stakeholders (e.g., policymakers, industry groups) on tech governance, quantifying outcomes like policy influence or partnership formations.
In your application, explicitly reference AISI's published work (e.g., their safety frameworks or position papers) and suggest how your outreach experience could amplify a specific initiative.
Prepare a concise portfolio example (2-3 slides or a brief write-up) showing how you've previously translated technical concepts into public-facing materials or policy briefs.
Demonstrate your understanding of the UK's unique position in AI governance by mentioning relevant institutions (e.g., DSIT, the Frontier AI Taskforce) and how AISI interacts with this ecosystem.
Highlight any experience facilitating partnerships between typically siloed groups (e.g., AI ethics researchers and corporate AI labs) as this is core to the role's coordination responsibility.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your direct experience engaging with UK or international technology policy stakeholders and the specific outcomes achieved (e.g., influenced a consultation response, built a coalition).', "Your ability to articulate the societal importance of AI safety and governance, linking it to AISI's mission of creating practical, implementable standards.", "A specific example of how you've acted as a 'translator' between technical experts and non-specialists, making complex information accessible and actionable.", "Your collaborative approach and interest in working at the intersection of research, policy, and industry, naming one AISI initiative you're excited to contribute to."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → AISI's published research outputs, safety frameworks, and public responses to government consultations (e.g., on the UK's AI regulation white paper) to understand their technical stance and policy positions.
- → The key personnel and leadership team at AISI, their backgrounds, and recent public statements or interviews to grasp the organizational culture and strategic priorities.
- → Current UK AI governance landscape: the roles of DSIT, the AI Safety Institute, the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, and how AISI might collaborate or differentiate from them.
- → Recent partnerships or projects AISI has undertaken with developers, academia, or civil society to identify potential areas for future engagement work.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application that doesn't mention AISI, AI safety, or the UK policy context, indicating a lack of tailored interest.
- Over-emphasizing technical AI/ML engineering skills without demonstrating the stakeholder engagement and communication abilities central to the role.
- Failing to provide concrete, outcome-oriented examples of past engagement or partnership work, relying instead on vague descriptions of responsibilities.
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
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