AI Risk Assessment Fellow

About Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive. Our ratings, research, and resources reach more than 150 million users worldwide and 1.4 million educators every year. Learn more at commonsense.org.

About the Harvey Anderson Memorial Fellowship

The Harvey Anderson Fellowship honors the legacy of Harvey Anderson, a valued Common Sense Media board member and technology leader who embodied principles of innovation and impact. This fellowship creates transformative professional opportunities for first-generation college graduates passionate about the intersection of technology, education, and social impact.

About This Role

Our AI Programs team works at the forefront of AI's impact on kids, families, and schools and is focused on AI thought leadership, AI evaluations, AI literacy, and the creation of practical resources for families and educators.

The AI Risk Assessment Fellow will work directly with our AI Risk Assessment Analyst and the Senior Director of AI Programs, to conduct rigorous evaluations of AI tools and platforms used by children, teens, and educators. This two-year fellowship provides hands-on experience in AI safety research, content evaluation, and technology policy while building expertise at the intersection of AI and youth protection.

This fellowship is designed specifically for early-career professionals who are first-generation college graduates, and offers comprehensive mentorship, tailored professional development, and career-launching experience in AI safety and child protection.

Location: San Francisco Bay Area (Hybrid)
Reports to: Senior Director of AI Programs (secondary)
Employment type: Full-time, non-exempt
Salary: $30.00–$38.00 per hour
Fellowship term: 2 years, with possibility of full-time role at Common Sense Media to follow

Fellowship Values

This fellowship embodies values shared by Harvey Anderson and Common Sense Media, including:

• Opportunity for All: Creating pathways for first-generation professionals.
• Supporting the Underserved: Focusing on protecting children and families.
• Transparency and Open Source: Contributing to frameworks that emphasize transparency and accessibility.
• Engaging Policymakers: Participating in work that informs policy about AI opportunities and challenges for youth.
• Adaptability: Helping design programs responsive to the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Key Responsibilities

Research Execution & Data Analysis

• Conduct systematic prompt testing of AI tools and platforms under supervision of the AI Risk Assessment Analyst.
• Conduct literature reviews and background research on AI platforms, including analysis of technical documentation, academic papers, and industry reports.
• Compile and organize large data sets to identify patterns and analyze platform strengths and risks.
• Assist with technical testing procedures, including using Python scripts and APIs to conduct automated testing.

Content Evaluation

• In collaboration with content reviewers, evaluate AI-generated content (in categories such as age-appropriateness or safety concerns) and document findings, including for sensitive content areas with challenging material related to youth safety.
• In collaboration with the AI Risk Assessment Analyst, support the development of content evaluation frameworks and testing plans.

Assessment Support & Documentation

• Under analyst guidance, draft sections of risk assessment reports and briefs.
• Clearly document testing procedures, findings, and analysis methods.
• Prepare data summaries and preliminary analysis for inclusion in public-facing reports.
• Support quality assurance processes for assessment accuracy and reproducibility.

Research & Analysis Support

• Synthesize research findings from multiple sources to inform assessment approaches.
• Track emerging AI technologies and their potential impacts on youth safety and education.
• Contribute to research briefs summarizing key background information and known risks.
• Support competitive analysis and market research on AI tools in educational settings.

Project Coordination

• Assist with project timeline management and deliverable tracking across multiple concurrent assessments.
• Contribute to team meetings and strategic planning discussions.

Professional Development Activities

• Participate in AI safety conferences, workshops, and industry events.
• Present research findings to internal teams and external stakeholders as appropriate.
• Contribute to thought leadership content, including blog posts and policy briefs.
• Engage with broader AI safety and youth protection communities.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree (must be first-generation college graduate).
• Experience: 2 years of professional experience in research, technology, or a related field, with a demonstrated interest in AI safety, child protection, and technology policy.
• Analytical Skills: Strong critical thinking and data analysis.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Technical Aptitude: Proficiency with AI tools/platforms and willingness to learn technical testing procedures.
• Content Resilience: Ability to handle sensitive, potentially upsetting content in a professional research context.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with content moderation, trust and safety, or online safety research.
• Background in psychology, education, computer science, or a related field.
• Previous research experience in academic or professional settings.
• Interest in child development and youth protection issues.
• Experience working with diverse communities or underserved populations.

Professional Development Opportunities

Understanding the unique needs and opportunities for first-generation graduates, Common Sense Media will provide a range of development opportunities, including structured mentorship, leadership development, connection to professional networks, and exposure to industry.

Additional Benefits

• The chance to work with talented, passionate professionals.
• A great health and welfare benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, a matching 401(k), and other key benefits.
• An organization that offers work/life balance.
• The opportunity to really make a difference in the lives of kids and families!

Common Sense Media provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected classification or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Common Sense Media will also consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. However, job offers are made on the condition that the applicant subsequently passes a criminal background check. If the background check indicates a prior criminal conviction, we will conduct an individualized assessment to determine whether the conviction should result in denial of employment. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.