FIG Fellowship with Yoshua Bengio
In collaboration with Yoshua Bengio and Mila
Join a special round of the FIG Fellowship, built around three high‑impact research projects co‑led by Yoshua Bengio, Turing Award–winning computer scientist and one of the world’s most influential voices on AI safety and governance.
Fellows selected will work directly with Yoshua Bengio and senior policy leadership at Mila (Quebec AI Institute) on research to influence the trajectory of frontier AI.
This is a rare chance to contribute to the global conversation on AI safety—while co‑authoring serious research with one of the field’s defining figures.
Fellowship Projects
Insurance and Liability as Levers for AI Safety
How can financial and legal mechanisms drive safer AI development?
This project investigates how insurance and liability frameworks can incentivise safer AI development and deployment. We'll draw on precedents from other industries where insurance mechanisms have improved safety outcomes, and develop policy recommendations for applying these models to frontier AI systems. We will also analyse the nascent AI insurance industry and consider recommending regulatory changes to adapt to the new industry.
Output: A 10-20 page academic-style report, co-authored with Yoshua Bengio, with options for further collaborators.
Ideal Candidates
Background in insurance, actuarial science, cybersecurity risk, or liability law
Experience in analysing how insurance or liability frameworks shape industry behaviour
A strong AI background is a plus, but not required—we're actively seeking fresh perspectives from insurance and risk professionals
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AI‑Driven Concentration of Power and Economic Sovereignty
What happens when frontier AI is controlled by only a few countries?
This project examines the gradual loss of national sovereignty that may result from frontier AI being concentrated in the US and China. We'll analyse labour market disruption, economic dependency, and power asymmetries for countries without domestic frontier AI capabilities. The work extends Bengio's existing research on international AI governance..
Output: A longer academic-style report (potentially 20+ pages), co-authored with Yoshua Bengio, with options for further collaborators.
Ideal Candidates
Background in economics, international political economy, or development economics
Experience with labour market analysis or technology-driven economic transitions is a plus
A strong AI background is helpful but not required—we're seeking economists who can bring rigorous analytical frameworks to a new domain.
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Military AI and Threats to AI Safety
How do military uses of AI reshape global AI safety risks?
This project maps the landscape of military AI applications and their implications for AI safety. We'll analyse how military use cases—including autonomous weapons, decision-support systems, and battlefield intelligence—interact with broader AI safety concerns.
The analysis will draw on on-the-ground observations (including from Ukraine) to ground theoretical work in operational reality. Depending on the co-author’s experience, the project may also incorporate an analysis of the threat of AI-driven concentration of power in the military domain.
Output: A 10–20 page academic‑style report, co‑authored with Yoshua Bengio.
Ideal Candidates
Background in defence policy, security studies, military technology, or international humanitarian law
Some familiarity with AI systems and AI safety debates is preferred, given the technical-policy intersection
Experience with military or security applications of emerging technologies is a strong plus
About the Fellowship round
Format: Part‑time, remote‑first
Duration: 12 weeks
Time Commitment: ~10+ hours per week
Outputs: Academic‑style policy reports, co‑authored with Yoshua Bengio
Audience: Policymakers, international organisations, and AI governance leaders
Fellows will be supported by FIG and Mila through structured supervision, research sprints, collaborative sessions, and direct engagement with project leads.
If none of the projects above match your skills and experience, but you’re interested in the next round of FIG fellowship, submit an expression of interest.
You’ll be notified when the next round opens!
Timeline
If the timing or the topics of the projects don’t work for you right now, but you’re interested in the next round of FIG fellowship, submit an expression of interest.