OpenAI Fellows Winter 2019 and Interns Summer 2019 Programs

OpenAI has announced the layanan programs for its Winter 2019 Fellows and Summer 2019 Interns. These programs provide pathways for individuals studying AI or those transitioning from other specialties into the field of artificial intelligence research.

OpenAI Fellows Program: Transitioning into AI Research

The OpenAI Fellows program is a six-month engagement designed specifically for individuals who want to transition into conducting AI research by applying their existing domain expertise and skills.

Program Structure

The February 2019 Cohort follows a two-phase structure:

  1. Curriculum Phase: The first two months are dedicated to a specially-curated curriculum written by OpenAI researchers.
  2. Research Phase: Following the curriculum, fellows spend four months working on a research project outlined in a proposal they write based on their own interests, under the guidance of an OpenAI mentor.

Candidate Requirements

OpenAI seeks fellows with the following characteristics:

  • Diverse Backgrounds: The program welcomes applicants from fields such as genetics, software engineering, physics, and theoretical computer science.
  • Dedication: Priority is given to applicants who can join OpenAI full-time after the program concludes.
  • Passion for Research: Candidates should be motivated to dive into AI research and possess previous research project experience.

OpenAI Internships: Contributing to Large-Scale AI Research

The Summer 2019 Internship program allows students to contribute to OpenAI's research over a three-month period starting in May 2019. Interns work with OpenAI teams on large-scale projects, such as those in Robotics, or conduct their own independent AI research.

Candidate Requirements

OpenAI prioritizes interns who demonstrate:

  • Self-Direction: The ability to guide solo work while contributing effectively as part of a team.
  • Practical Skills: Proficiency in implementing ideas quickly, working within a shared codebase, and communicating changes to the team.
  • Technical and Research Experience: A strong body of scientific work, particularly single-author papers, and engineering backgrounds that support AI research efforts.

Application and Decision Timeframes

OpenAI offers two decision tracks for the Summer 2019 internship:

Early Decision

  • Application Deadline: November 2, 2018.
  • Notification Date: December 21, 2018.

General Admission

  • International Applicants (without US work authorization): Applications are accepted from November 3, 2018, to February 15, 2019, with notifications sent by March 15, 2019.
  • US-based Applicants (with US work authorization): Applications are accepted from November 3, 2018, to March 15, 2019, with notifications by April 15, 2019.

Selection Criteria Summary

Program Primary Target Audience Key Requirements
Fellows Individuals transitioning into AI research Evidence of interest in AI research via past projects or self-study; not currently in a degree program.
Interns PhD or undergraduate students in their final year Strong body of scientific work (first-author papers), significant open-source ML contributions, and strong engineering skills.

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