Gates Foundation AI Fellow Program 2027: Paid AI Fellowship in Africa Regional Offices

The Gates Foundation AI Fellow Program 2027 – Africa Regional Offices is inviting applications from talented artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning professionals interested in using technology to address global health, education, and development challenges.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is expanding its AI Fellows Program to Africa, offering an exciting opportunity for technically skilled and mission-driven professionals to work on real-world challenges across the continent. Selected fellows will collaborate with the Foundation’s Africa team, government counterparts, development partners, and interdisciplinary experts to develop and implement responsible AI-powered solutions.

This is a 12-month, full-time, paid employment opportunity designed for professionals who want to apply their AI expertise to meaningful social impact while gaining exposure to a globally recognized philanthropic organization.

About the Gates Foundation AI Fellowship

The AI Fellows Program focuses on accelerating the responsible and impactful use of artificial intelligence in global health, development, and education.

The Africa-based fellows will work on high-priority projects that support evidence-based interventions, strengthen public systems, and improve decision-making across African countries. Each fellow will typically be assigned one or two major projects, with opportunities to contribute to additional initiatives as priorities evolve.

Benefits and Career Opportunities

Selected AI Fellows will receive:

• Paid employment: A full-time, 12-month limited-term employment position with the Gates Foundation.
• Competitive compensation: Salary and employment benefits according to the Foundation’s compensation structure.
• Health insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no employee premiums.
• Paid time off: Generous vacation and personal leave.
• Paid family leave: Family-supportive employment benefits.
• Retirement contributions: Foundation-funded retirement benefits.
• Professional mentorship: Exposure to senior leadership and experts across AI, global health, development, and policy.
• International professional network: Collaboration with leading NGOs, governments, academic institutions, and development partners.
• Practical AI experience: Opportunities to develop, test, and deploy AI solutions for real-world challenges.
• Career advancement: Experience working at the intersection of frontier AI technology and international development.

Unlike a traditional academic fellowship, this opportunity is structured as full-time employment for 12 months.

Project Areas

AI Fellows may contribute to projects such as:

1. Health Financing and Decision Support

Develop AI-enabled decision-support tools to integrate financing information across countries, identify bottlenecks, and improve resource allocation.

2. Healthcare Supply Chain and Medicine Availability

Build AI-powered solutions to reduce essential medicine stockouts, improve logistics management, and strengthen health systems.

3. Predictive Analytics for Healthcare

Develop predictive models to forecast medicine shortages, identify redistribution opportunities, and improve procurement and budget planning.

4. AI for Global Development

Apply AI, machine learning, data analytics, and optimization techniques to support development outcomes across multiple countries.

Roles and Responsibilities

The selected fellows will:

• Identify and scope AI applications based on real-world needs and operational challenges.
• Develop prototypes using large language models (LLMs) and modern AI tools.
• Design, develop, and evaluate AI and machine learning models.
• Build decision-support systems and integrate AI into existing workflows.
• Prepare, manage, and integrate datasets and data pipelines.
• Conduct model validation, testing, and performance evaluation.
• Ensure responsible AI implementation, fairness, privacy, and transparency.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and development partners.
• Conduct AI literacy workshops and mentor colleagues in responsible AI use.
• Communicate technical findings and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should demonstrate the following qualifications:

• Educational background: A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
• Professional experience: At least two years of experience applying AI solutions, preferably in healthcare, agriculture, development, or related systems.
• AI and machine learning skills: Strong understanding of AI/ML modelling, evaluation, and practical applications.
• Large language models: Hands-on experience with LLMs, prompting, retrieval, tool use, deployment, or adaptation.
• Software development: Experience with programming, data engineering, software development, and building end-to-end solutions.
• Analytical skills: Ability to solve complex problems and translate technical ideas into practical applications.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Collaboration: Ability to work with interdisciplinary teams and adapt to changing project requirements.
• Mission alignment: Genuine interest in using AI responsibly to advance public health, education, and equitable development.

Candidates with applied coursework, research, internships, or early professional experience may demonstrate relevant technical capabilities.

Location and Employment Details

• Program: Gates Foundation AI Fellow – Africa Regional Offices
• Organization: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Job Type: Full-time employment
• Duration: 12 months
• Locations: Nairobi, Kenya; Abuja, Nigeria; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; or Johannesburg, South Africa
• Application Deadline: November 11, 2026
• Position Number: B021830

Important Location and Work Authorization Requirement

Applicants must already be legally authorized to work in the country where the position is based. The Foundation does not provide visa sponsorship or relocation support for this position.

Therefore, international applicants should confirm their work authorization before applying. Applicants residing in Nepal without legal work authorization in one of the listed African countries would not meet this requirement.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should:

1. Visit the official Gates Foundation careers page.
2. Review the complete job description and technical requirements.
3. Prepare an updated CV/resume highlighting AI/ML projects, technical skills, research, and professional experience.
4. Select an appropriate location where they are legally authorized to work.
5. Complete the online application through the Foundation’s Workday recruitment portal.
6. Submit the application before the deadline.

Application Deadline: November 11, 2026

This opportunity is particularly suitable for AI developers, machine learning engineers, data scientists, and technology professionals seeking to apply their technical expertise to global development and social impact.