The AI Governance Taskforce has opened applications for its Winter 2026 cohort, offering experienced professionals a structured pathway to transition into careers focused on AI governance and advanced AI risk mitigation. The upcoming cohort will run from 26 January to 17 April 2026, with applications closing on 5 January 2026 at 23:59 GMT. Designed to fit alongside existing professional commitments, the Taskforce provides a flexible, part-time and fully remote opportunity for participants worldwide. What Is the AI Governance Taskforce? The AI Governance Taskforce is a 12-week, part-time (8 hours per week), global and remote career development programme. It is aimed at professionals who already have established careers and want to pivot into AI governance, policy, and safety-focused roles. Participants join as Research Associates, working in small teams to produce high-quality policy-relevant research. Through this process, they build: Practical knowledge of AI governance and safety Transferable research and policy skills A tangible work portfolio demonstrating relevance to AI governance careers The programme is run by Arcadia Impact, a charity focused on career development and field-building initiatives that address pressing global challenges, with a particular emphasis on reducing risks from advanced AI systems. A Research-Led, Portfolio-Building Experience One of the Taskforce’s key differentiators is its in-house research leadership model. Each project is: Co-designed with respected AI governance experts Led by dedicated Research Team Leaders Delivered by multidisciplinary teams of four Research Associates Participants receive structured guidance throughout the research process, from defining research questions to producing final outputs. Typical deliverables include: An academic-style research paper, and A policy article or blog post aimed at an AI governance–relevant audience This approach ensures participants gain hands-on experience producing work that is credible, visible, and aligned with real-world policy debates. Winter 2026 Cohort: Projects and Expert Partners The Winter 2026 cohort will feature several research projects in collaboration with leading figures in AI governance and safety. Confirmed projects include: Sean McGregor (AI Incident Database)Phase identification of AI incident emergence Tommy Shafer Shane (Centre for Long-Term Resilience)Leveraging open-source intelligence (OSINT) for loss-of-control AI risk Henry Papadatos (SaferAI)Stress-testing a loss-of-control safety case Additional projects and partners will be announced ahead of the cohort start. Full project briefs, including required applicant profiles, are available via the programme’s application materials. Who the Programme Is For The Taskforce is seeking highly motivated, mission-driven professionals who aim to work on reducing risks from advanced AI. Applicants come from a wide range of disciplines, including but not limited to: Computer science and machine learning Engineering (software, systems, safety, mechanical, and more) Law and public policy Economics and social sciences Business, management, and international relations Philosophy and other humanities Applicants do not need to meet every criterion. Those with partially relevant backgrounds are encouraged to apply, especially if they bring strong transferable skills. Candidate Profile: Essential and Desirable Attributes Essential qualities include: A clear intention to pursue a career in AI governance Foundational understanding of AI governance and AI safety Demonstrable expertise from another field that is transferable to AI governance Comfort working in small, structured research teams Strong reasoning skills and clear, concise writing ability Desirable attributes include: Familiarity with frontier AI risk, incident monitoring, and governance ecosystems Big-picture awareness of global AI policy and safety debates Previous research publications or policy-style writing for academic or public audiences Practical Details at a Glance Dates: 26 January – 17 April 2026 Time commitment: 8 hours per week for 12 weeks Format: Fully remote, global participation Compensation: Voluntary and unpaid Eligibility: Open to applicants worldwide Application Process and Timeline The application process consists of two stages: Stage one: Submission of a CV, writing sample, and short competency-based responses Final stage: A short written test and remote interview for shortlisted candidates Interviews are expected to take place between 12–21 January 2026, with offers extended shortly thereafter. APPLY NOW For professionals seeking to build credible experience, networks, and research outputs in AI governance, the Winter 2026 AI Governance Taskforce cohort offers a structured and impactful entry point into the field. For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the awarding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.