Application Guide

How to Apply for Volunteer

at AIGS Canada

🏢 About AIGS Canada

AIGS Canada is a unique grassroots network launched in 2022 that brings together over 200 professionals from academia, industry, public service, and civil society across Canada. Unlike traditional organizations, they focus specifically on community-driven advocacy for safe and beneficial advanced AI systems, making them a pioneering collective in Canadian AI governance. Their rapid growth and cross-sector approach offer volunteers a chance to contribute to meaningful policy discussions from the ground up.

About This Role

This volunteer role involves joining specialized teams (Advocacy, Events, Analysis, Communications, or Policy) to help shape responsible AI governance through community collaboration and advocacy. You'll work remotely with diverse stakeholders to address risks from emerging smarter-than-human AI systems in Canada, making tangible contributions to an emerging critical field while developing practical expertise.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve participating in virtual team meetings with members from academia and industry, researching Canadian AI policy developments for an analysis brief, and collaborating on advocacy materials through shared documents. You could spend time coordinating with remote team members across time zones, preparing for an upcoming community event, or contributing to policy recommendations that will be shared with AIGS Canada's growing network.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who AIGS Canada Is Looking For

  • Someone genuinely passionate about AI safety and governance who can articulate why this specific issue matters for Canada's future
  • A collaborative team player comfortable working remotely with academics, industry professionals, and civil society members across different sectors
  • An individual who can clearly define their preferred commitment level (Explorer, Supporter, or Team Leader) and follow through consistently
  • A proactive contributor who can work independently within a distributed network while aligning with AIGS Canada's community-driven mission

📝 Tips for Applying to AIGS Canada

1

Explicitly state your preferred commitment level (Explorer, Supporter, or Team Leader) and why that fits your current capacity

2

Mention which specialized team(s) interest you most (Advocacy, Events, Analysis, Communications, or Policy) and why

3

Reference specific AIGS Canada initiatives or their cross-sector network approach to show you've researched their unique model

4

Share any relevant Canadian AI policy knowledge or connections to academia/industry/public service that align with their network

5

Highlight any past volunteer or community collaboration experience, especially in distributed/remote settings

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your specific interest in AI safety and governance, particularly as it relates to Canada's emerging policy landscape", "Which commitment level you prefer and how you'll maintain consistent contributions remotely", "Why you're drawn to AIGS Canada's community-driven, cross-sector approach versus other AI organizations", 'How your background (even if non-technical) can contribute to their specialized teams and network growth']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review AIGS Canada's website and any published materials to understand their specific stance on AI governance and safety
  • → Explore their network structure - look for mentions of specific academic institutions, companies, or organizations they collaborate with
  • → Research recent Canadian AI policy developments or discussions that AIGS might be engaging with
  • → Look for any public events, webinars, or publications AIGS Canada has produced since their 2022 launch
Visit AIGS Canada's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach collaborating with academics, industry professionals, and civil society members who might have different perspectives on AI governance?
2 What specific risks from 'smarter-than-human AI' concern you most in the Canadian context, and how might AIGS address them?
3 Describe how you would handle a situation where team members in different time zones have conflicting priorities on a project
4 Which of our specialized teams most aligns with your skills, and what specific contribution could you make in your first 30 days?
5 How would you balance this volunteer commitment with other responsibilities, given the remote, part-time nature of the role?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with a generic interest in 'AI' without demonstrating specific knowledge or concern about safety and governance issues
  • Failing to specify a preferred commitment level or team focus, suggesting lack of clear intention
  • Overemphasizing technical AI skills when the role emphasizes collaboration, advocacy, and community building across sectors

📅 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 AIGS Canada!

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