Applications are invited for the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) Women in AI Fellowship 2025. The application deadline is February 3, 2025!
The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is an independent institution within the UN, focused on researching global challenges related to disarmament, arms control, and international security. UNIDIR develops innovative solutions to pressing security issues, fostering inclusive dialogue and promoting collective action for a more secure world.
The institute supports UN Member States, policy communities, and other stakeholders in advancing practical actions for peace, facilitating diplomatic discussions, and enhancing transparency and confidence-building between nations. Through its research and advisory functions, UNIDIR plays a key role in shaping the future of arms control and disarmament.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a significant governance challenge in international security and disarmament, though there is no formal UN process dedicated solely to AI in this context, apart from the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems. AI is increasingly discussed within UN processes related to cybersecurity, disarmament, and counter-terrorism.
However, a key issue within these processes is the underrepresentation of women, with UNIDIR research revealing that, on average, only a third of diplomats at arms control and disarmament forums are women. This lack of equitable participation often leads to overlooked gender-specific impacts of weapons and violence. UNIDIR’s research suggests that effective capacity-building could help address this gap in AI governance.
To promote gender equality and inclusive policymaking, UNIDIR is launching the 2025 Women in AI Fellowship. This initiative equips women diplomats with up-to-date knowledge on AI’s policy, legal, and technical aspects, including its gendered implications. Fellows gain the skills, resources, and networks to engage effectively in multilateral AI discussions focused on international peace and security.
For more, watch the video testimonials from the 2024 Women in AI Fellows on the UNIDIR YouTube channel.
The Women in AI Fellowship comprises a week-long, in-person training in Geneva. The Fellowship is structured around three key pillars for a holistic and effective programme of learning:
UN Member States are invited to nominate women diplomats to the Fellowship, and candidates also have the option of applying directly.
Interested applicants or their diplomatic representations are invited to submit the following supporting documents by email to sectec-unidir@un.org with the subject line “2025 UNIDIR Women in AI Fellowship Application”:
Interested and eligible candidates can share above mentioned details at sectec-unidir@un.org
