Open Source AI Fellowship 2026: Two-Year Opportunity to Advance AI Policy, Research, and Open Source Innovation ·Year Opportunity to Advance AI Policy, Research, and Open Source Innovation

The Open Source Initiative (OSI) has announced the launch of the Open Source AI Fellowship, a new two-year programme designed to advance research, policy development, and global collaboration around the future of open source artificial intelligence.

The fellowship was announced during UN Open Source Week and aims to strengthen understanding of what it means for an artificial intelligence system to be recognized as “Open Source.” Through research, stakeholder engagement, policy analysis, and community-building activities, the programme will support efforts to create transparent, inclusive, and evidence-based approaches to AI governance.

The initiative seeks to establish OSI as a central hub for Open Source AI by bringing together researchers, policymakers, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and technology stakeholders.

About the Open Source AI Fellowship

The Open Source AI Fellowship supports the mission of the Open Source Initiative (OSI) to promote the freedom to use, study, share, and modify technology.

The programme focuses on addressing emerging questions surrounding AI openness, governance, standards, and policy. It will create opportunities for experts and stakeholders to collaborate on defining best practices for responsible Open Source AI development.

The fellowship is built on OSI’s partnership with Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy and will contribute to research, policy discussions, and practical frameworks around open artificial intelligence systems.

Fellowship Overview

• Programme: Open Source AI Fellowship
• Organization: Open Source Initiative (OSI)
• Duration: Two years
• Focus Areas: Open Source AI research, policy, governance, and community engagement
• Partnership: Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy
• Launch Event: UN Open Source Week
• Field: Artificial Intelligence, Technology Policy, Digital Governance

Fellowship Objectives

The Open Source AI Fellowship aims to:

• Advance research on Open Source AI.
• Improve understanding of AI openness standards.
• Support evidence-based AI policy discussions.
• Build consensus among global stakeholders.
• Monitor developments in AI governance.
• Strengthen collaboration between academia, industry, and civil society.
• Promote transparency and accessibility in AI technologies.

Fellowship Activities

The programme will involve several major activities, including:

Thematic Workshops and Working Sessions

The fellowship will organize multi-stakeholder workshops exploring important issues such as:

• The impact and future development of the Open Source AI Definition.
• Potential updates and improvements to Open Source AI standards.
• The role of open source software in sovereign technology systems.
• The relationship between AI infrastructure and digital public goods.
• Expanding awareness of open AI solutions worldwide.

These discussions will bring together experts from different sectors to examine how open source principles can support responsible AI innovation.

Development of a Global Research Agenda

The fellowship will contribute to the development of a global research agenda through partnerships with organizations including:

• Open Forum Europe
• Open Knowledge Foundation
• Digital Infrastructure Insights Fund

This work builds on the establishment of the Open Technology Research Network, created to encourage collaboration and research in open technology fields.

Policy and Research Analysis

The fellow will support research activities focused on:

• Tracking global AI policy developments.
• Examining international AI governance approaches.
• Comparing emerging regulations with Open Source AI principles.
• Producing research insights to support informed policymaking.

Founding Fellow Selected

In May 2026, Gabriel Toscano was selected as the founding fellow based on his academic achievements, professional experience, interdisciplinary expertise, and commitment to OSI’s mission.

His appointment marks the beginning of the fellowship’s work to advance research and engagement around Open Source AI.

Importance of Open Source AI

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming industries, governments, education, research, and society. As AI systems become increasingly influential, questions about transparency, accessibility, accountability, and public participation have become more important.

Open Source AI seeks to encourage systems that allow greater understanding, collaboration, and innovation by enabling users and researchers to examine, improve, and adapt AI technologies.

Through this fellowship, OSI aims to support informed discussions about AI standards while ensuring that open source principles remain central to the future development of artificial intelligence.

Who Can Benefit from the Fellowship?

The fellowship’s research and engagement activities are relevant to:

• AI researchers
• Technology policy experts
• Software developers
• Open source communities
• Academic institutions
• Civil society organizations
• Government policymakers
• Digital rights advocates
• Technology companies

Professionals and organizations interested in AI governance, digital public goods, and open technology development can benefit from the research and discussions generated through the programme.

Supporting Organizations

The Open Source AI Fellowship has received support from several technology and academic partners, including:

• Duke University
• Red Hat
• AWS
• Google
• Automattic
• Mozilla

These partnerships support OSI’s efforts to strengthen global conversations around transparent and responsible AI development.

Career and Research Impact

The Open Source AI Fellowship represents an important opportunity for advancing knowledge in one of the most rapidly evolving areas of technology.

By connecting researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders, the programme aims to create practical recommendations that influence the future of AI governance and open technology standards.

The fellowship will contribute to building stronger global capacity for understanding and shaping the future of artificial intelligence.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) does not take ownership or credit for the opportunities shared on this platform. All opportunities are sourced from official announcements and external sources for informational purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to verify all details, deadlines, and eligibility requirements from the official source before applying. Opportunities may be updated or changed by the providing organisations.

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