Seminar
This year, we’re offering one 12-week seminar with 2 options of participation (a virtual option and in-person option). The seminar will run from late May to early August 2025. Remote sessions will be on Zoom every Friday from 5 to 7 pm EAT (2 to 5 pm GMT). In-person sessions will be hosted in Nairobi and will take place on Saturday afternoons from 2 to 5 pm EAT.
Most of the seminar will be focused on discussing topics related to the governance of AI to prevent catastrophic risks from occurring. After covering those topics, we will have a few research classes.
Beyond the stipulated class times, the seminar will require around 3 to 4 hours of preparatory reading every week. There is also a minimum attendance requirement: We will only recognize participants who attend a minimum of 10 out of the 12 sessions.
Also!
When selecting participants for the virtual option of the seminar, we’ll prioritize candidates not based in Kenya. However, candidates who live in Kenya can still apply to join this option.
What are the perks of participating in the seminar?
- You’ll learn a lot about how AI works, the catastrophic risks it could pose and the kinds of AI governance ideas receiving attention today. You’ll also learn more about how to do high impact research.
- You’ll receive a certificate upon successful completion of the Seminar, and you may include the Seminar in your CV.
- You get to interact with many other exceptional people, including advanced students and professionals working to safeguard our future.
- You set yourself up to join future ILINA work or work being done by other organizations in the space.
Who can apply?
- Anyone pursuing an undergraduate degree.
- Anyone within 2 years of acquiring their undergraduate degree.
- Anyone personally invited by the ILINA team to apply.
What sort of person are we looking for?
Our ideal candidate is an intelligent, intellectually curious person who’s: Willing to question their intuitions, keen on research and keen on making a difference in the world. It’s an added bonus if the person is interested in learning more about how AI could change our lives and what we should do about that now.
Finally!
Please remember that we’re not looking for people who are studying/ have studied a particular course. We will consider your application no matter your course of study!
Application & Selection
The application will require:
- Responding to some personal information and motivation questions.
- Answering a question designed to examine how you fact-find, think and communicate.
- Most applicants will be asked to participate in a short interview. The interview is designed to give us a more informed sense of who you are, how you think and why you want to join the seminar.
Applications for our 2024 Seminar are now closed. If you’re interested in being part of the Seminar, please check back in February 2025.
Applications for our 2024 Seminar are now closed. If you’re interested in being part of the Seminar, please check back in February 2025.