Skip to main content
NIA · Founding Network

Help shape what AI learns next.

NIA is building an early network of exceptional students, graduates, researchers and domain experts who want to contribute to the next generation of AI. Evaluation. Research. Reasoning. Language. Domain expertise.

Join the Founding NetworkExplore NIA

Early-stage initiative · Selective screening · Project availability will depend on future partnerships and client requirements.

The idea

AI needs more than engineers.

The systems being built today need people who understand finance, law, medicine, mathematics, engineering, language, culture, business, research and thousands of other disciplines.

You don't have to study AI. You need to know something worth teaching it.

Potential workflows

Where your expertise could matter.

01

Evaluate

Compare AI responses and determine which are accurate, useful and well-reasoned.

02

Challenge

Create questions and scenarios that expose weaknesses in AI systems.

03

Research

Structure, verify and assess complex information.

04

Apply your expertise

Use knowledge from your discipline to assess specialist AI tasks.

05

Improve safety

Identify misleading, unsafe, biased or unreliable outputs.

06

Represent context

Help AI better understand languages, cultures and perspectives that may be overlooked.

Exact work will depend on future projects, partners and client requirements.

A high-trust network

We're not looking for everyone.

Previous AI employment matters less than rigorous thinking, clear communication, curiosity, genuine expertise, attention to detail, reasoning and reliability.

01

Curious thinkers

You ask better questions and learn quickly.

02

Strong communicators

You can explain your reasoning clearly.

03

Domain depth

You know something worth teaching AI.

04

Detail-oriented

You care about accuracy, nuance and quality.

Future cohorts may include assessments, calibration exercises and project-specific screening.

Join early

Why join the Founding Network?

01

Be considered early

Founding members may be among the first considered for relevant assessments, pilots and projects.

02

Help shape NIA

Early participants can help influence how NIA develops.

03

Build an emerging skillset

Learn how modern AI evaluation, expert feedback and research workflows operate.

04

Meet across disciplines

Connect with people thinking seriously about how humans and AI will work together.

05

Build a track record

Selected participants may later have opportunities to build project history or recognition based on demonstrated performance.

The mission

Africa should participate in building intelligence — not simply consume it.

Africa has exceptional academic, technical and professional talent. Its languages, industries, cultures and contexts deserve representation in the systems being built. NIA wants to help create pathways for that talent to contribute, beginning with universities and young professionals.

A possible path

How NIA works.

01

Join the network

Submit your background and expertise.

02

Screening

Relevant members may be invited to assessments or calibration exercises.

03

Matching

Suitable participants may be considered when a project requires their skills.

04

Contribute

Selected participants complete evaluation, research or expert-data tasks.

05

Paid projects

Where a project is paid, compensation and expectations are communicated before participation.

Applications are open

Join the Founding Network.

1 / 3

About you

Share NIA AI Fellows with someone who should apply early.

Building with universities

Bring NIA to your university.

We're exploring partnerships with universities, faculties, student societies and academic organizations that want to give exceptional students exposure to emerging AI evaluation, research and expert-data workflows.

Partner with NIA
For companies

Looking for expert human evaluation?

NIA is developing a network of talent across technical, academic and professional domains. We're open to conversations with AI teams, research organizations and technology companies exploring evaluation, expert-data and research pilots.

Explore a pilot
Questions & answers

Questions, answered.

What is NIA?

NIA is an early network connecting exceptional African talent with potential AI evaluation, research and expert-data opportunities.

Is NIA a job?

No. It is a selective talent network and exploratory initiative, not a job offer or employment guarantee.

Do I need to study AI or computer science?

No. NIA welcomes people with strong expertise across technical, academic and professional disciplines.

What happens after I apply?

Your background may be reviewed for future screening, calibration exercises, cohorts or projects that match your experience.

Will opportunities be paid?

Some projects facilitated through NIA may be paid. Depending on expertise, complexity, project requirements and completed work, selected opportunities may offer compensation of up to approximately US$50/hour. The applicable rate and project terms will be communicated before participation. Joining NIA does not guarantee a project or paid work.

Where is NIA available?

NIA is beginning with communities in Kenya and across Africa, with the ambition to connect talent with global research and technology teams over time.

NIA · Founding Network

The next generation of AI will need human expertise.

Join the people helping shape it.

Join the Founding NetworkPartner with NIA