Rob Reich and Gabriel Weintraub Take Leave from Stanford to Advise Governments Grappling with AI
Both faculty placements are made possible by Stanford's Scholars in Service program
Impact-driven scholars often ask how their research can influence policy. At Stanford Impact Labs (SIL), our response is nearly always the same: to catalyze real change with your work, you need to think in real-world terms that extend beyond academia. How? By engaging with policymakers, understanding their priorities and day-to-day demands, and by coming to understand how research might play a role in influencing decisions.
One of the best ways of truly getting to know the world of policymakers is to inhabit it and Stanford’s Scholars in Service program is designed to enable faculty to do precisely that. Scholars in Service supports faculty to take a period of leave from the university and embed themselves within a host organization so that both sides can learn from one another.
Alongside the Haas Center for Public Service, the SIL team is excited to announce our two newest Scholars in Service for 2024-25. Both will bring their expertise to bear on a vital issue: artificial intelligence (AI) and what governments can do to leverage its benefits and diminish its risks.
Rob Reich, Professor of Social Ethics of Science and Technology, Senior Fellow at the Stanford Institute for HAI, and professor of political science in the School of Humanities and Sciences, will spend nine months within the U.S. AI Safety Institute (AISI). The institute was created as a result of the October 2023 White House Executive Order on AI and is housed at the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) within the Department of Commerce. As a scholar in service, Professor Reich will advise the AISI and lead engagement with civil society organizations.
Gabriel Weintraub, Professor of Operations, Information & Technology at Stanford Graduate School of Business, will spend six months with the National Productivity Commission and the Ministry of Science of the Chilean government. During his leave-in-service, Professor Weintraub will support the Government of Chile to leverage AI, boost public sector productivity, and enhance public policies around AI adoption.
Placements like these provide a crucial bridge between academia and policy, as scholars are able to contribute technical expertise in service of broader needs within government, while also enhancing their own research after learning more about the priorities and challenges facing policymakers.