Stanford HAI’s global training initiatives educate policymakers on AI governance

Stanford HAI has developed comprehensive AI education programs for government officials at state, federal, and international levels to enhance AI governance capabilities.

Program Overview: Stanford’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) has established itself as a leading force in AI governance education through various boot camps and training initiatives.

• The institute recently hosted 35 California policymakers for a one-day AI boot camp focusing on foundation model governance and AI’s impact on education
• HAI collaborates with other Stanford institutes, including the Institute for Economic Policy Research and the Regulation, Evaluation and Governance Lab
• Programs are designed to reach different levels of government, from state legislators to federal employees and international policymakers

Digital Learning Initiatives: HAI has expanded its reach through online courses targeting civil servants and government employees.

• A partnership with the U.S. General Services Administration has trained over 10,000 federal employees on AI fundamentals
• The program recently expanded to include state and local government employees, with record enrollment of 3,500 participants in 2024
• A global online course, “AI Fundamentals for Public Servants,” has attracted more than 1,700 participants worldwide

International Engagement: HAI’s influence extends beyond U.S. borders through various international collaborations.

• The institute has contributed to the European Union AI Act development
• HAI partnered with the Asia Foundation to create workshops for ASEAN leaders
• Special programs focus on strengthening AI ecosystems in the Global South
• Sessions are customized to local contexts and regional needs

Educational Approach: HAI leverages Stanford’s multidisciplinary expertise to create comprehensive learning experiences.

• Programs draw experts from Stanford’s seven schools to cover AI’s intersection with labor, economics, medicine, law, and education
• Course content is tailored to participant knowledge levels and specific needs
• Interactive experiences include lab visits and hands-on learning opportunities
• Faculty gain valuable insights from participant feedback, which influences their research

Core Programs at a Glance: HAI offers several flagship training initiatives.

• The Congressional Boot Camp provides bipartisan education for House and Senate staffers
• California Boot Camp focuses on state-specific AI governance challenges
• Federal employee training series covers technical foundations and risk mitigation
• Global public servant course offers self-paced learning on AI opportunities and impacts

Looking Forward: The growing complexity of AI governance necessitates continued evolution of these educational programs.

• HAI plans to strengthen existing partnerships and develop new collaborations
• Future programs will focus on helping policymakers understand long-term regulatory impacts
• Emphasis remains on bridging the knowledge gap between technical expertise and policy implementation

Future Impact and Collaboration: HAI’s educational initiatives are creating a foundation for more informed AI governance while fostering valuable cross-sector dialogue between academia, government, and industry stakeholders.