Join the Global Index on Responsible AI as a Country Researcher

The Global Index on Responsible AI (GIRAI), a flagship project of the Global Center on AI Governance is a comprehensive tool designed to track and measure countries’ commitments and progress toward responsible artificial intelligence. Covering over 140 countries and jurisdictions, the Index gathers and analyzes primary data to build a detailed picture of how nations are addressing the ethical, social and regulatory challenges posed by AI technologies.

GIRAI highlights global trends and gaps in responsible AI, offering policymakers, researchers and stakeholders critical insights to drive improvement. By promoting international cooperation and encouraging human-centric AI frameworks, the Index supports a more sustainable, inclusive, and ethical future for AI.

With support from Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) through the Artificial Intelligence for Development (AI4D) , the second edition of GIRAI is underway.

To support this next phase, we are opening up the process to broader participation by widening the reach of our global research network, a diverse collaborative community of researchers working to advance responsible AI across all regions.

An Invitation to Global Collaboration

We're officially launching our call for Country Researchers. This is an exceptional opportunity to directly contribute to this impactful project.

As a Country Researcher, you will play a crucial role in gathering and assessing on-the-ground evidence regarding responsible AI commitments and progress in your assigned country. Your work will directly support the global advancement of accountable and rights-based AI principles.

Your Responsibilities

Country Researchers will:

Conduct primary data collection within their country, completing the GIRAI questionnaire and survey tools.
Participate in mandatory capacity-building sessions, where they will be introduced to responsible AI from a human rights perspective, and trained on GIRAI’s methodology, data collection strategies, and supervision protocols.
Receive a comprehensive Researcher’s Handbook covering definitions, justifications, guidance, and examples for each thematic area of GIRAI.
Adhere to data quality standards, follow established data flow processes, and meet timelines and milestones as outlined by the GIRAI team and Regional Hubs.

The GIRAI questionnaire is organised across thematic areas, reflecting human rights-based and democratic principles for responsible AI. Country Researchers will assess and document evidence on frameworks, government actions and non-state actors working to advance each thematic area and its intersection with AI.

Who we are looking for

Ideal candidates will have:

In-depth knowledge of AI governance, policies, as well as the social and ethical implications of AI and digital technologies.
Advanced research skills and experience in AI-related fields, with a focus on responsible AI, data protection, data policy, and data sharing.
Familiarity with recent policy developments related to AI in the designated country.
Strong command of written and spoken English and fluency in one or more official languages of the designated country.
Availability to engage stakeholders, including state actors, in collecting evidence and disseminating research results.
Experience in online data collection and assessment of documentary evidence.
Demonstrated ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and adhere to data quality standards.
No conflicts of interest that could interfere with the ability to conduct impartial assessments of available evidence.
Stable internet connection. (with an average download speed of 25 Mbps)
Availability for project commitment: training session in September 2025, and data collection and analysis for a total of 60-80 hours between October to December 2025.

Compensation Note

Compensation for this role ranges from USD 1,000 to USD 3,000 per country researcher. The final amount will depend on the volume of evidence to be collected and assessed, as well as the economic context and cost of living in the designated country.

Important Dates for Applicants

Applications are open from 1st -31st July, 2025
Mandatory Training Session: September 2025
Data Collection & Analysis: October to December 2025 (Project commitment is 60-80 hours)

Application process

If you are passionate about shaping ethical and inclusive AI futures, this is your chance to be part of this transformative global initiative. By joining the GIRAI network as a Country Researcher, you’ll help illuminate how AI is impacting rights and governance worldwide. Applications will be captured via a google form and our team will conduct an internal review process. We will notify successful applicants no later than Monday, 8 September 2025.

Link to the full job description here

Submit your application here

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dates and duration for the September training?
Training for selected country researchers is scheduled for September 15–26.
What does the question about unintended consequences and methodology in the application form aim to assess?
In the context of this question, “unintended consequence” refers to those derived from building a global benchmark to apply at a country level, and disseminating a country ranking based on them. We expect to receive suggestions on how to avoid or address them.
If you don't have publications in the area of study, but deal with AI, does it make sense to apply?
Yes, but you need to show strong evidence of your experience with research on the field of AI Governance in the country you are applying for.
Is it mandatory for Country Researchers to reside in the country they are representing during the project period, or is there flexibility for them to work remotely from another location?
It is not mandatory for them to be living in the country they are researching. But yes they need to be experts in that country's AI governance ecosystem and have deep knowledge of all the relevant actors and institutions.
Will interviews be conducted as part of the final selection process?
Yes in some cases.
How many candidates will be selected per country?
Only one candidate per country.
What type of confidentiality agreement researchers need to sign?
Country researchers are required to sign a confidentiality agreement to ensure that no research outputs from the GIRAI project are shared prior to the project’s official release.
Can one researcher apply for more than one country?
Yes, researchers can express availability to research more than one country
Were the first edition’s findings shared with countries for action?
Yes, findings of the first edition were shared in local, regional and international fora, events and reports, and they were taken into account by several countries when creating/updating their strategies.
Will researchers from the first edition be given preference?
Yes. Previous experience with GIRAI will certainly be valued, but it won’t be the only criterion for selection. We will also look for strengthen the diversity of our research network in terms of academic backgrounds, cultural and regional perspectives, gender representation, and more.
Are you open to accepting volunteers?
We currently have open positions for paid researchers, but we welcome applications to volunteers for other opportunities.