AI Fellow

Responsibilities

Strategic Thought Leadership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Chief Impact and Strategy Officer and senior leaders on the responsible, equitable use of AI across the Foundation’s strategy, grantmaking research, and ecosystem work.
• Help translate the Foundation’s 2035 vision into concrete questions and opportunities where AI could accelerate economic mobility – or where guardrails are needed.
• Provide perspective on emerging AI trends, risks, and governance models, with particular attention to bias, access, workforce displacement, and uneven regional impacts.

Signature Initiative or Inquiry (Fellow-Led)

• Propose and advance a distinct, high-impact idea or line of inquiry that explores how AI can strengthen economic mobility, close gaps, or redesign opportunity systems in new ways.
  • This could include (but is not limited to):
    • Applying AI to improve access to postsecondary pathways, credentials, or career navigation.
    • Reimagining entrepreneurship support, capital access, or small business resilience through AI.
    • Using AI to surface hidden barriers identified in the Kauffman Mobility Index and related research.
    • Developing frameworks for place-based, community-centered AI adoption.
    • The Foundation will support this work through access to data, staff collaboration, convening power, and dissemination platforms.

Ecosystem, Learning, and Field Building

• Inform and strengthen the Kansas City region’s approach to AI adoption by engaging universities, nonprofits, civic leaders, employers, and technologists.
• Advise on grantmaking or partnership opportunities that align with the Foundation’s strategy and promote responsible AI for public good.
• Contribute to national learning by helping the Foundation share insights, lessons, and frameworks with peer funders, policymakers, and practitioners.

Internal Collaboration and Enablement

• Partner closely with the internal AI Working Group, which will serve as the Foundation’s implementation and learning engine.
• Collaborate closely with various teams in the Foundation on emerging trends, frameworks, and models for AI for public good, bringing strategic insight and innovation so the Working Group can translate ideas into pilots, internal capacity building, and real-world opportunities.

Skillset

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Economics, Computer Science (with a focus on Ethics/Society), Data Science, Sociology, Education, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• At least five years of relevant experience in technology strategy, public policy, economic development, or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in AI strategy, responsible AI, public interest technology or applied innovation.
• Has a strong grounding in equity, economic mobility, workforce development, entrepreneurship, or education systems.
• Experienced influencing decision-makers across philanthropy, policy, academia, or industry.
• Has excellent communication skills, including well-developed interpersonal, written, and listening skills, particularly in communicating complex ideas to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated history of translating ideas into action.
• Has strong ability to manage data, track project outcomes, and ensure accuracy in documentation, reporting, and communications.
• Is known for reliability and follow-through in managing project details.
• Is committed to ongoing reflection, learning, and growing.
• Has a passion for advancing equitable and transformative solutions for communities served by the Foundation.
• Possesses a passion for “doing what is right,” with unquestioned integrity, positive ethics and values reflective of the Kauffman Foundation.
• Is committed to the Foundation’s credo, standards, and values in alignment with our racial equity, diversity and inclusion statement, by prioritizing racial equity, diversity, and inclusion in culture and strategic work.
• Possesses computer literacy skills, including proficiency with Microsoft tools, Box, Slack and social media.