Apply to the fall 2026 Sentient Futures AI×Animals Course

By Sentient Futures, Jay Luong, Constance Li @ 2026-08-27T21:46 (+6)

AI×Animals is an 8-week course preparing learners for impactful careers at the frontier of AI and animal welfare. Participants will engage with such high-stakes issues as precision livestock farming, the use of machine learning to "decode" animal communication, 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.

Program

Week 1. Welcome and Fellowship Intro
Week 2. AI×Animals: The Present and Near Future
Week 3. Precision Livestock Farming
Week 4. Interspecies Communication
Week 5a. Genetic Welfare
Week 5b. AI×Alt Proteins   
Week 6. AI×Animals: The Long-Term Future
Week 7. Animal Advocacy in the Age of Transformative AI
Week 8. Taking Action: Projects and Career Planning

Format

• Program runs Oct 19 to Dec 13.
• Meet for structured facilitated online discussions (1h45m weekly).
• Prepare for these sessions by completing readings and pre-session exercises (2-3 hours).

Other info

• We are also accepting applications for paid facilitators. You are welcome to apply to both learner and facilitator roles.
• Know someone who'd be a great fit for this course? Share the learner or facilitator application with them.

Questions? Reply below or write us at courses@sentientfutures.ai.