Senior Fellow and Director, Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technology Initiative (Job ID: 2024-3501) - The Brookings Institution

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The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.  

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy. 

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors

The Executive Office (EO) moves the Brookings mission forward by supporting and guiding the research programs, external affairs, and business operations of the Institution.  The EO consists of the President’s office and the President's support team and aims to communicate regularly and transparently with Brookings staff about what’s happening at the institutional level.

Postion Location:This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of at least two days of remote work each week

Ready to contribute to Brookings success? 

The Director, Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technology (AIET) Initiative, develops the vision, narrative, and strategy of the Initiative, oversees implementation of those strategies, and raises the visibility of Brookings’s collective work in responsible AI. As a senior fellow, the director conducts research within his or her own area of related expertise in tech policy. For the AIET Initiative, the Director sets a collaborative research agenda, determines how to work with scholars across Brookings, and raises the funds required to achieve the Initiative’s goals. The Director also oversees the Initiative’s communications strategies and ensures all administrative functions operate effectively. As Director of the Initiative, they will report to the President, will work closely with executive office staff, and will work collaboratively across the Institution. As a Senior Fellow, they will report to the Vice President and Director of the program most aligned with their research interests, authoring and/or co-authoring research in areas of subject matter expertise and overseeing communications and convening for their individual research agenda.

Serve as director of the Initiative (80%)

Set Initiative vision and strategic direction

• In collaboration with Research Vice Presidents, relevant Scholars, and the President (collectively, Scholar Stakeholders), develop, and refresh as necessary, a vision for the AIET Initiative that emphasizes Brookings’ and AIET’s unique positioning for impact in responsible AI policy and development and ensure the vision is compelling to funders and policymakers
• Stay on the forefront of key trends and policy developments in the field, including the role of key thought leaders responsible AI policy and development; use that intelligence to inform Brookings’ research and niche in the policy space
• Stay abreast of work taking place across the institution on responsible AI policy and development to better represent, elevate, and coordinate the expertise at Brookings in ways that yield greater visibility, sustainability, and impact

Stakeholder engagement

• Strengthen or create relationships with key policymakers and influencers in the field to ensure Brookings and the AIET Initiative remain a resource for insights and collaboration
• Establish a process for regularly engaging Scholar Stakeholders, identifying and facilitating opportunities for collaboration and joint vision for impact
• Engage Scholar Stakeholders and functional leaders across the Institution as needed to develop strategies for achieving the Initiative’s objectives

Development and donor stewardship

• Develop a fundraising strategy for the Initiative with central Brookings development staff and in coordination with development professionals in research programs; identify and cultivate new foundations and philanthropists to support the Initiative
• Serve as principal point of contact for major Institutional donors and partners
• Work with the President to keep the board of trustees apprised of the progress in the Initiative

Strategic communications

• Develop a communications and audience engagement strategy for the Initiative, working with scholars and staff in central Brookings communications and with communications staff in research programs

Operations management

• Ensure clear, transparent processes are in place to support cross-unit implementation of the goals/strategies of the Initiative, which result in quality, impact, and financial sustainability
• Work with executive office management and central Brookings finance staff to develop and monitor annual budget, allocate resources to support success of Initiative and institutional goals, ensure staffing supports the Initiative’s strategy, and hold team accountable for responsible fiscal management
• Ensure compliance with all procurement and other finance and risk mitigation policies, including conflicts of interest and legal compliance

Individual scholarship (20%)

Research & writing

• Author or co-author research and policy and reports, blogs, op-eds, and other commentary
• Engage with academics, policymakers, and industry experts to identify authors, speakers, and discussants for publications and events related to individual research agenda
• Track existing policy conversations in area of subject matter expertise and identify potential high-impact research workstreams

Publication management

• Develop specific research concepts, policy questions, and work plans for papers and reports
• Regularly serve as an editor or peer reviewer, as per quality review policies

Events, convenings, & external engagement

• Develop and deliver presentations for research projects and policy priorities
• Meet with and brief relevant external contacts on research
• Collaborate with communications team to create, disseminate, and promote research and policy impact products; liaise with media as subject matter expert
• Convene topical roundtables, author conferences, and public events to inform research

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications

Education/Experience Requirements

Degree Qualifications – A bachelor’s degree is required; a PhD in a field related to scholars’ area of subject matter expertise is strongly preferred.

Research Experience – At least ten years of professional, policy, or academic work experience in a relevant field is required. Familiarity with AI systems is required, and history of informing policy decisions preferred.

Programmatic Leadership – Significant experience leading programmatic efforts that successfully achieve policy impact and ability to build and manage a strong team, developing financial support and fundraising, and overseeing administrative staff is preferred.

Fundraising – must have demonstrated ability raise the financial resources needed to invest in the talent, intellectual capital, and innovative programming required for success of the Initiative.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements

Research – Scholars must be able to articulate a clear and compelling research agenda and must have a proven ability to conduct in-depth high quality policy research and translate research findings into insightful, innovative, and practical policy recommendations. Must demonstrate subject matter expertise in a field related to the social, political, economic, or global security impacts of AI and emerging technologies. Technical expertise in data science, computational social science, and/or AI and machine learning systems, particularly their use in research and analytics, is strongly preferred.

Strategic Communications – Demonstrated ability to conceive of and execute development and communications strategies.

Engagement and Outreach – Scholars must be able to design and undertake issue-focused engagement and outreach strategies with high-profile audiences, in collaboration with communications staff across the organization. A proven ability to build and develop financial support for the work is preferred.

Communications Skills – Outstanding written and oral communication skills are required of all candidates.

Other Attributes – Successful scholars must be motivated, flexible, diplomatic, creative, trustworthy, a good team player who seeks to participate in Brookings community of scholars and staff, and able to thrive in a fast-paced and collegial environment.

Additional Information 

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings.Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous time off, and workplace flexibility. For more information, please visit Brookings Benefits.   

The projected hiring range for this position is $232,000 to $305,000, but the actual salary may vary based on the candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications.

Must be authorized to work for a US emplolyer.

For more information or questions related to this recruitment, please contact  AIETRecruitment@brookings.edu

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply. Please note: if you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening you should add a position-specific cover letter as a separate attachment. 

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings. 

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.