The Department of the Air Force & Massachusetts Institute of Technology Artificial Intelligence Accelerator (DAF-MIT AIA) is seeking high-performing Airmen/Guardians for the Phantom Fellowship.
 
Cohort #12 Dates: 04 Nov 2024 to 28 March 2025.
 
REQUIREMENTS:  

• Air Force or Space Force servicemember or DAF civil servant
• Rank/Grade: O1 - O4; E3 - E7; GS-3 through 13
• PA applicants: O2 - O4; E5 - E7; civilians GS-1035-9 through 13
• History of strong performance & ability to self-direct and excel in an unstructured environment
• Enthusiasm for digital transformation
• Remote/Telework Capable (Personal computer required)

EXPERIENCE:  
Non-Technical Phantoms
Public Affairs

• (35P, 3N0X6, 1035)

Education Phantoms

• (38F, 3F0X1, 0201)
• Extensive/diverse experience in your career-field and evidence of initiative/innovation desired

Strategic/Operational Theater Planning Phantoms (AI For Wargaming)

• ANY AFSC/SFSC: Operations-focused background (1X-series AFSC/SFSC - ex. 11F, 11B, 12F, 14N, etc.) or robust experience in tactical or operational-level planning or wargaming strongly desired.

Technical Phantoms

• ANY AFSC/SFSC: Technical Acumen and evidence of initiative/innovation desired

Note: There is no one skillset or background that is desirable because Phantoms are paired directly with research projects and every project is different.The technical experience metric is evaluated relative to other candidates. There is no objective standard that an applicant must hit, rather we are looking for the application with the most relevant experience.
 
DETAILS:
 
The Phantom Program offers a comprehensive fellowship opportunity that enables individuals to gain
valuable knowledge from leading experts in the field of artificial intelligence. The program follows a highly rigorous selection process, ensuring that only top-tier personnel are accepted into the AI Accelerator. These successful candidates, referred to as Phantoms, will collaborate with the most distinguished AI researchers globally, working alongside both fellow Airmen and Guardians who oversee specific AI projects. Phantoms will be responsible for contributing their specialized knowledge and expertise to a range of projects, while also innovating and developing novel processes to facilitate the successful integration of AI research into practical application. Strategic Theater Planning and technical phantoms will embed in AIA research projects, education phantoms will work on AIA education projects, and PA phantoms will work as PA for the AIA. In addition to helping on AIA projects, All phantoms will write an impact paper of publishable quality, where they will explore research on an AI topic of interest valuable to their home unit or career field. Over the course of the five-month program, Phantoms will be exposed to cutting-edge AI research, real-world implementable
solutions, customized AI training, and a distinctive career-enhancing experience. For more information please reference the Program Description Document here.
 
Phantoms are 100% OPCON to the AIA for the duration of the program and will be expected to telework daily. Home units are responsible for funding 2 weeklong TDYs (case by case exceptions can be made) to MIT Beaver Works, Cambridge MA. The AIA will fund the final TDY.
 
Tentative Travel: TDY #1: Nov 04 - Nov 08, 2024; TDY #2: Jan 13 - 17, 2025; TDY #3: Mar 24 - 28, 2025.
(Travel on Sunday and Friday)
 
Please reference the AIA websites, www.aiaccelerator.af.mil and www.aia.mit.edu, for more information about research projects. Note: Not every project is looking for a phantom, the application specifies which projects are looking for phantoms for this upcoming cohort.


APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS - DEADLINE 1200 EST 09 September 2024:
 

• Allow 30-60 minutes to complete the application via commercial internet. The form is linked here (YOU CAN NOT OPEN THE FORM ON NIPR).
• https://forms.gle/PN5VigGDa6gM8PVc9
• Please read all instructions thoroughly in order to ensure you are appropriately considered.
• There is no ADSC incurred upon completion, and the application is non-binding.
• You will be notified of your status NLT 30 days prior to cohort start date.
• Refer to the Frequently Asked Questions or contact ai.pa@mit.edu for additional questions. 

The Phantom Program offers a comprehensive fellowship opportunity that enables individuals to gain valuable knowledge from leading experts in the field of artificial intelligence. The program follows a highly rigorous selection process, ensuring that only top-tier personnel are accepted into the AI Accelerator. These successful candidates, referred to as Phantoms, will collaborate with the most distinguished AI researchers globally, working alongside both fellow Airmen and Guardians who oversee specific AI projects. Phantoms will be responsible for contributing their specialized knowledge and expertise to a range of projects, while also innovating and developing novel processes to facilitate the successful integration of AI research into practical application. Strategic Theater Planning and technical phantoms will embed in AIA research projects, education phantoms will work on AIA education projects, and PA will conduct full-spectrum public affairs for the AIA. In addition to helping on AIA projects, All phantoms will write an impact paper of publishable quality, where they will explore research on an AI topic of interest valuable to their home unit or career field. Over the course of the five-month program, Phantoms will be exposed to cutting-edge AI research, real-world implementable solutions, customized AI training, and a distinctive career-enhancing experience. 

Phantoms are 100% OPCON to the AIA for the duration of the program and will be expected to telework daily. Home units are responsible for funding 2 weeklong TDYs (case by case exceptions can be made) to MIT Beaver Works, Cambridge MA. The AIA will fund the final TDY. 

In a scheduled solicitation cycle that happens approximately every 4-5 months, applicants are required to complete a Google form. This form includes information about their background, experience, motivation for applying, and responses to specific questions provided by AIA research projects that are accepting Phantom applications. If an applicant is competitive, they may be asked for additional career documentation. The entire process, from the initial solicitation to notification of successful candidates, takes around 6 weeks. It is important to note that the application is not binding, and once selected, individuals will have one week to accept the offer. Subsequently, they will undergo onboarding activities leading up to the official commencement of the program.

Click here to read the Full Phantom Program Description