Phantom Program

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

Apply to Cohort XI - Deadline April 15, 2024


·       Allow 30-60 minutes to complete the application via commercial internet or NIPR. https://forms.gle/Q2ELmAsqEqPUa5o19
·       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 17 May 2024. 

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

Digital University: Phantom Learning Pathway

Digital University: Phantom Learning Pathway
The Phantom Learning Pathway is our custom curated Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) tailored specifically to arm Airmen and Guardians with the knowledge necessary to become A.I. change agents and force multipliers. It centers upon how Artificial Intelligence and its associated disciplines relate to everyday problems. Students will gain an introductory level into many of the tools utilized by subject matter experts, including Data Science tools used to build insightful models. Finally, students cover unique business case applications. Students will learn how to structure business questions with different machine learning teams and focus on various models and what specific business questions certain models can help answer and what opportunities they may uncover.
This Force Multiplier is a HIGHLY ENCOURAGED for non-technical applicants in applying for the highly competitive fellowship. It consists of 30 hours of interactive training broken into three major sections: Artificial Intelligence, Programming Languages, and Business Cases.

Click here to begin the learning path!