AI & Climate Change Intern (BTS)

Summary

Save the Children is seeking a highly motivated and passionate intern to support research at the intersection of AI, climate change, and social equity. The intern will contribute to a project focused on understanding the impact of climate change on underserved communities globally and examining the role of unconscious bias in the development of generative AI tools and applications. This role will be instrumental in helping to shape policy and programmatic recommendations on how Save the Children can address these emerging challenges.

What You’ll be Doing (Essential Duties, Responsibilities and Impact)

Research & Analysis:

• Conduct literature reviews and data collection on the disproportionate impact of climate change on underserved and vulnerable populations, focusing on children and marginalized communities.
• Investigate how unconscious bias in the creation and deployment of AI tools and applications might adversely affect decision-making in climate resilience, resource distribution, and other critical areas affecting underserved communities.
• Analyze case studies and current practices within the field to identify ethical risks and biases in generative AI systems, especially as they relate to climate change solutions.

Collaboration:

• Work closely with the research team to synthesize findings and provide insights on the intersection of AI, bias, and climate change impacts.
• Collaborate with other internal departments (e.g., Advocacy, Climate Change, Data Science) to ensure alignment of research outcomes with Save the Children’s mission and goals.

Report & Policy Brief Development:

• Assist in drafting a comprehensive report or policy brief that outlines findings and actionable recommendations for Save the Children’s approach to addressing climate change in underserved communities.
• Develop proposals on how to mitigate unconscious bias in the creation of generative AI applications and tools to ensure they are equitable and inclusive.

Key Outcomes

By the end of the internship, the intern will produce:

• A comprehensive report or policy brief detailing the findings on the intersection of climate change, underserved communities, and unconscious bias in AI.
• A set of actionable recommendations on how Save the Children should adapt its policies and programs to address these critical issues.

Required Qualifications

• Must be an actively enrolled Associate, Bachelor, Master or other post high school education program, or have graduated within 6 months of program start date in Environmental Studies, Artificial Intelligence, Public Policy, Data Science, Social Sciences, or related fields with a focus on climate change, AI ethics, or global development.
• Experience conducting qualitative and quantitative research
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills to assess the connections between climate impacts, social inequalities, and AI systems.
• Ability to identify gaps, trends, and propose innovative solutions.
• Possess strong written skills, solid interpersonal skills and ability to work within a team
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Able to handle confidential and proprietary information appropriately and with discretion
• Eligible to work in the U.S.

What’s In It for You

• Structured learning and development program
• Meaningful work under the direct supervision of an experienced Save the Children staff member
• Highly collaborative and innovative teams
• Networking program with managers across the organization
• Flexible schedule
• A family friendly work environment
• The knowledge that the work you are supporting is changing the lives of children all around the world

Classification: Intern / Fellow

Compensation: $17 / hour

Hours: 24 hours per week

Dates:  January 27, 205 – April 18, 2025         

About Save the Children

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.

Our work for children and their families requires that we commit—at every opportunity—to work together to identify and dismantle persistent systemic and structural racism, inequality, and any other forms of discrimination in this country and beyond.  As an anti-racist organization, Save the Children will not tolerate discrimination in any form—in our employment practices, amongst our staff, in our leadership or toward the people we serve. We stand in solidarity with all people to fight for equal rights, justice, inclusion, and belonging.

Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom we are in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse.

Save the Children is committed to minimizing safety and security risks for our valued employees, ensuring all are given training, support and information to reduce their risk exposure while maximizing the impact of our programs for children and families. Our shared duty, both agency and individual, is to seek and maintain safe working conditions for all.