AI FOR GOOD FELLOWSHIP

AI FOR GOOD FELLOWSHIP: Do you want to help solve Africa’s challenges using ethical AI?
Are you a technologist with experience using AI to solve real-world problems? The Digitalise Youth consortium, through Code for Africa (CfA), is offering six fellowships for technologists in Africa to work with Human Rights Defender (HRD) organisations and help them strengthen their impact through the responsible use of AI.
The HRD organisations will be based in the Sahel, as well as neighbouring countries in West and East Africa, so familiarity with the region and its political, social, and digital realities is essential.
Through this fellowship, technologists will support HRDs to strengthen existing AI-enabled initiatives and resources, or to design new tools and workflows where needed. Fellows should therefore have proven experience building practical AI tools, especially using generative AI tools, including large language models (LLMs), as well as a strong commitment to human rights and responsible AI practice. Activities will include co-designing AI tools with HRDs, supporting safe and context-sensitive deployment, and generating actionable insights to inform policy, advocacy, and public-interest interventions.
Fellows may develop AI-enabled tools/interventions independently or in collaboration with other experts. These solutions may include multilingual research assistants, tools for analysing and summarising large volumes of text, systems for detecting or tracking harmful narratives, and workflow automation that strengthens civic engagement and public-interest response. Expected deliverables include research briefs, prototype AI tools, and practical plans for scaling AI-enabled interventions that strengthen HRDs’ work and help safeguard public discourse.
Selected fellows will receive support from CfA’s TechLab, DataLab, and AI Sandbox, as well as mentorship from global AI experts, civil society organisations, and policymakers. The wider partnership includes climate resilience networks, public health organisations, and digital rights advocates, providing additional opportunities for prototyping, testing, and scaling solutions.
Fellowship Package
Stipend: $500/month
Duration: Four months
Mentorship: Guidance from CfA’s TechLab and support from partner institutions at the Digitalise Youth consortium.
Network: Collaborate with the consortium and its regional networks.
Real world impact: Opportunity to work with HRD organisations to implement solutions to existing challenges.
Showcase : Present capstone projects to local, national, continental, and global partners, and at events.
Are You Eligible?
We seek problem-solvers with:
Social Impact – Demonstrated experience in developing AI-driven solutions that enhance civic information, support human rights defenders, or address societal challenges.
Data Fluency – Expertise in collecting, cleaning, and analysing socio-economic or environmental datasets.
Design Thinking – Skill in co-creating solutions with communities and CSOs.
Prototyping Experience – Track record of testing AI solutions in resource-constrained settings.
Scalability Planning – Ability to design tools for broad adoption across diverse regions.
Technical Proficiency – Experience in AI modelling (NLP, computer vision, predictive analytics).
Ethical AI Practices – Commitment to fairness, transparency, and inclusivity in AI design.
Collaboration Skills – Experience working with policymakers or grassroots organisations.
Fluency in either English/French/Arabic
Familiarity with open-source tools and open-data principles.
Applicants must demonstrate ties to African communities.

Eligible candidates are invited to fill this form by 11th May 2026 to join a transformative cohort of innovators addressing the Sahel’s most pressing challenges through ethical AI.
About the project
The Digitalise Youth Project, part of the Digital Democracy Initiative, aims to address the shrinking civic space and rampant disinformation in the Sahel and neighbouring regions by empowering local youth activists and civil society organisations. The project focuses on enhancing digital skills, promoting civic tech solutions, and raising awareness about online political engagement. By bridging the gap between human rights defenders and the tech community, the project equips young activists and media organisations with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital ecosystem, protect themselves from surveillance, and fight against disinformation. In addition to its capacity-building work, Digitalise Youth’s advocacy efforts seek to promote digital rights at local, regional, and international levels, urging the ratification of the African Union Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection.

Link https://opportunities.codeforafrica.org/2026/04/14/call-for-applications-ai-for-good-fellowship-2/