Senior Officer, AI Technology Policy at Gates Foundation in Washington, DC

Job description

The Foundation We are the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. We believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities. As a workplace, we’re committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally. The Team The Advocacy & System Improvement team operates as an engine for sustainable impact at scale within U.S. Program. The role of this team is not to develop or deliver solutions, but to enable systems to adopt and sustain effective practices, and to change how systems operate so those practices become standard, scalable, and durable. In this context, the solutions our colleagues develop and deliver are more likely to reach more learners, driving collective progress towards our shared goals. The Policy & Advocacy team sits within Advocacy & System Improvement and is responsible for building and advancing the foundation’s education policy agenda — translating programmatic learning, field evidence, and strategic priorities into rigorous policy perspectives and effective advocacy strategies that shape how federal and state systems support student success. The team works across K-12, postsecondary, pathways, and data and AI policy domains, and maintains a robust state advocacy function that ensures the foundation’s priorities are reaching the right audiences through the right partners. This position is located in our Washington DC office and is designated as a limited-term position for 24 months. Please include a cover letter describing what uniquely qualifies you for this role and what inspired you to apply. We look forward to learning more about your experience and motivation. Thank you! Your Role You are responsible for providing the deep technical grounding that supports the development and implementation of the foundation's AI policy by translating developments in AI technology, governance, and industry practice into insights the team can act on. You bring firsthand knowledge of the technology sector, including the stakeholders, dynamics, and realities of how AI systems are built, deployed, and governed in practice, and you bring those perspectives and relationships to the table in service of the team's policy agenda. What You'll Do Serve as the team's internal resource on AI safety, governance, regulation, and technology policy — monitoring and advising on developments across federal agencies, the technology sector, and national and international AI governance bodies; analyzing emerging and nascent governance frameworks, regulatory proposals, and industry practices; and translating their implications for students, educators, institutions, and the foundation's education policy agenda. Work closely with the senior program officer for AI and data infrastructure to strengthen the team’s AI policy perspectives, ensuring they are well-grounded in the realities of AI technology, governance, and industry practice. Synthesize evolving technical and regulatory context quickly and accurately — identifying what is known, what is uncertain, and what the strategic implications are for the foundation’s work. Develop analytical products, briefings, and points of view for the Policy & Advocacy team and division leadership that translate complex AI governance and technology policy developments into actionable implications for the foundation’s work. You will advise program strategy teams on the technology policy landscape as it relates to their investments in AI-enabl