Applications are now open for two courses offered by Sentient Futures:
AIĂ—AnimalsAn 8-week course exploring the impact of current & emerging AI technologies on animal welfare.Prioritizing Neglected AnimalsDeadline to apply: October 8, 2025
A 7-week course exploring how to make the biggest difference for animal welfare— now and in the long-term future.Deadline to apply: September 15, 2025
Learn more about each program below and apply using our streamlined application forms.
Deadlines vary depending on which course you have selected and whether you are applying as a learner or a facilitator:
Learner deadline | Facilitator deadline | |
Prioritizing Neglected Animals | @September 15, 2025 | @September 23, 2025 |
AIĂ—Animals | @October 8, 2025 | @September 17, 2025 |
Please share the learner and facilitator applications with anyone else you know who might be a good fit!
Questions about our programs? Please reach out to us at fellowships@sentientfutures.ai
đź““Â Course descriptions
🤖 AI×Animals
AIĂ—Animals surveys the impact of current and emerging AI technologies on animal welfare. Fellows will engage with high-stakes issues such as precision livestock farming, the use of machine learning to "decode" animal communication, genetic engineering to reduce animal suffering, and the intersection between animal advocacy and AI risks. This program will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and connections to steer AI development and deployment towards animal-positive outcomes.
Tentative program:
Week 1. AIĂ—Animals: The Present and Near Future Week 2. Precision Livestock Farming Week 3. Interspecies Communication Week 4. TBD Week 5. A World Without Suffering? Advances in Genetic Engineering Week 6. AIĂ—Animals: The Long-Term Future Week 7. Animal Advocacy in the Age of AI Risk Week 8. Taking Action: Career Planning
đź“ŠÂ Prioritizing Neglected Animals
Prioritizing Neglected Animals explores how to make the biggest difference for animal welfare, both now and in the future. Fellows will learn key principles for prioritizing interventions across species and contexts using evidence-based tools, including scope-sensitive frameworks, sentience-focused moral weights, and methods for quantifying negative welfare by time and intensity. Through real-world case studies, we’ll apply these tools to some of the most neglected groups: fish, shrimp, insects, wild animals, and even speculative future animal markets. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the frameworks and practical skills needed to direct your advocacy or career toward the areas where you can help the greatest number of sentient beings most effectively.
Tentative program:
Week 1: Scope Sensitivity and Fish Welfare Week 2: Sentience Weights and Decapod Crustaceans Week 3: Quantifying Time/Intensity of Suffering and Farmed Birds Week 4: Neglectedness/Cause X and Small Invertebrates Week 5: Wild Animals Week 6: Future Animals Week 7: Next Steps
💻 Format
Both courses follow a weekly small group discussion format.
You will meet for structured facilitated online discussions.
(1.5 hours per week)
You will prepare for these sessions by completing readings and pre-session exercises.
(2-3 hours per week).
There may also be elective sessions, including workshops or Q&As with leading researchers and practitioners from key career fields.
To get the most out of our fellowships, we recommend setting aside at least 4 hours per week for synchronous sessions and preparation, including readings and exercises.
We take an active approach to cultivating a supportive and constructive environment for learning and discussion. Learn more about our core values and discussion norms.