AI for good? Anthropic launches new AI training fellowship

DURHAM, N.C. — Can artificial intelligence be used for good? That’s something many people want to know.

“We've been doing AI and tech for good for years, and to be able to do it alongside Anthropic is amazing,” said Dan Rearick, co-founder of nonprofit Code the Dream in Durham.

Pew Research says 35% of U.S. adults don’t believe AI will have a positive impact on the U.S. over the next 20 years, 17% believe it will and 33% are indifferent. That’s why Anthropic started “Claude Corps,” a fellowship program that places trained AI professionals in communities to help with technological support.

“For us, it's just a perfect fit for what we already do. We're all about giving people real-world experience to launch their careers,” Rearick said.

Code the Dream builds technology to help people in their daily lives and gives them a chance to gain hands-on experience.

“There's a lot of individual nonprofits who don't have any technology experience, and having a Claude Corps fellow will be amazing for them,” Rearick said.

Claude Corps chose Code the Dream and other nonprofits as host organizations for the fellowship program because their goals align.

“AI is a tool that we're putting in people's hands to help them accelerate their work and maximize their impact,” said Elizabeth Kelly, head of beneficial development at Anthropic.

Kelly says this fellowship is meant to shine a positive light on artificial intelligence. She says she’s excited to pilot a program designed to help the next generation of AI professionals.

“I can think of no better way to expand education and economic opportunity than through this program, where we're actually putting training in the hands of a thousand fellows from across the country, actually helping communities in their work,” Kelly said.

The Greater Charlotte YMCA is also a host organization for Claude Corps. Applications for the fellowship program are open until July 17. The first group of fellows starts this October. For more information on eligibility requirements, visit Anthropic’s website.

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