AI POLICY CLINICS

Applications are now closed for the Spring 2025 CAIDP AI Policy Clinics. Applicants will be notificed in December. Please note that the application process is highly competitive. We received more than 1,200 applications for the Fall 2024 cohort and accepted about 300 participants. As we are a global organization, currently with a large number of participants from North America and Europe, we strongly encourage applications from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the MENA region.

Application for Fall 2025 will open April 2025.

 CAIDP offers several AI policy clinics. The clinics are intensive, interdisciplinary, semester-long courses, established to teach future leaders in the AI policy field skills in policy analysis, research, evaluation, team management, and policy formation. Topics covered include AI History, AI Issues and Institutions, AI Regulation and Policy Frameworks, and Research Methods. 

Particular attention is given to the AI policy frameworks that are shaping international norm for the governance of AI. These include the Universal Guidelines for AI (2018), the OECD AI Principles / G20 AI Guidelines (2019), the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI (2021), the US Executive Order on AI (2023), the EU AI Act (2024), the UN Resolution on AI (2024),  and the Council of Europe Convention on AI (2024).

CAIDP will offer three AI Policy Clinics for Spring 2025. All Policy Clinic participants are also considered members of the CAIDP Research Group.

AI Policy Clinic

Learning Objectives

• Develop analytic skills for AI policy
• Develop team-based collaborative research and writing expertise
• Identify Significant AI policy news
• Identify AI Policy comment opportunities ("Public Voice")
• Identify significant AI policy events
• Undertake empirical research on national AI policies and practices
• Assess AI policy instruments

Structure

Twice weekly meetings – Monday and Friday. Typically, Monday is to introduce a new topic and make an assignment. Assignments are reviewed on Friday. 

Evaluation

• Active participation in sessions
• AI policy research and analysis
• Completion of written AI policy work
• Presentation of AI policy work
• Successful completion of 50-question multiple choice test

Research Group members who fulfill these requirements will be  awarded with the AI Policy Certificate. Candidates are also required to sign a Statement of Professional Ethics for AI Policy. The research of Clinic participants contributes to the AI & Democratic Values Index.

 AI Policy Clinic (Advanced)

For participants who have completed the AI Policy Certificate and would like to continue their work and earn an advanced certificate there will be an advanced program. In this program you will be asked to be a Team Leader and coordinate the work of a group in the AI Policy Clinic. 

Learning Objectives

• Develop advanced policy assessment skills with “5 Key Points” exercise
• Develop team mentoring and coordination skills
• Coordinate work of research teams for updates to Artificial Intelligence and Democratic Values

Structure

The Advanced Clinic will meet weekly on Friday at 11.00 ET. Team Leaders will meet with their groups on Friday at 10.00 ET. Team Leaders will be expected to be familiar with the material presented on Mondays which will be posted to the Slack.

Evaluation

• Active participation in sessions
• AI policy research and analysis
• Completion of written AI policy work
• Mentoring and engagement of RG participants
• Presentation of AI policy work
• Successful completion of 25-question multiple choice test and AI policy essay

AI Policy Group (Global) and AI Legal Group (US)

The AI Policy Group (Global) and AI Legal Group (US) provides the opportunity to engage with AI political makers and political institutions in real-time. At present, CAIDP is working with a wide range of international organizations, including the Council of Europe, European Union, the OECD, UNESCO. CAIDP continues to engage with the 75+ countries listed in the annual AI and Democratic Values Index, and has recently stepped up engagement with the United States, as the US seeks to develop policy frameworks for the governance of AI. Members of the CAIDP Policy Group (PG) and the CAIDP Legal Group (LG) monitor developments with international organizations and national governments and contribute directly to CAIDP's substantive policy recommendations,

Prerequisites: All students who have completed the CAIDP Advanced AI Policy Certificate, as well as members of CAIDP’s Advisors and Global Academic Network (GAN), are eligible to participate in the CAIDP Policy Group (PG). US law school students and recent graduates (including JD and LLM) are eligible to participate in the CAIDP Legal Group (LG) upon completing the CAIDP Basic and Advanced policy tests with a score of 90% or above. This is a fast-paced, intensive clinic experience with real-world consequences.  Participants must have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, to pursue assignments diligently, to engage actively in decision making, and to adjust to frequently changing deadlines and priorities are all required. Working with others in a positive, collaborative manner is essential.

Format: The Policy Group and Legal Group meet together Mondays at 9:00 am ET. There is a brief review of recent accomplishments, key priorities, and upcoming events. Participants are expected to actively engage in the review of CAIDP priorities.

Evaluation: Active participation, timely completion of assignments, and the ability to identify new opportunities, and carry forward earlier work of CAIDP are all essential.

CAIDP received almost 250 applications for the Spring 2023 semester, over 630 applications for the Fall 2023 semester, and over 1,250 applicants for the Spring 2024 semester.