Student Fellowship
A fellowship for Columbia undergraduates who want to understand AI and its consequences — and develop the fluency to shape what comes next.
The Signal Student Fellowship prepares students to exercise sound judgment in a world increasingly shaped by intelligent machines.
Over the course of a year, Fellows investigate how AI is changing the way people think, learn, trust, create, and make decisions—not simply by studying the technology, but by studying ourselves. Through interdisciplinary readings, discussion, field observations, conversations with researchers and practitioners, collaborative design projects, and original research, Fellows develop the habits of mind needed to navigate uncertainty, question assumptions, and lead responsibly in moments where there are no obvious answers.
Rather than treating AI as a technical problem alone, the Fellowship asks a broader question: What kinds of human capabilities become more valuable as machines become more capable?
The Fellowship is organized as a two-semester experience. During the fall, students build a shared intellectual foundation through readings drawn from sociology, psychology, philosophy, science and technology studies, design, and computer science, while examining how AI is reshaping education, work, creativity, media, healthcare, and public life. Fellows meet with leading researchers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and nonprofit leaders, and participate in field visits and observational exercises that connect theory to practice.
During the spring, Fellows apply those ideas through collaborative design sprints and independent research projects focused on real-world challenges. Working alongside faculty and external partners, students learn how to frame problems, evaluate technologies from a human-centered perspective, and communicate their work to both technical and public audiences. The year culminates in a public showcase of student projects and research.
Students accepted into the Fellowship commit to the full academic year. Participation includes regular seminars, workshops, guest speakers, field experiences, collaborative activities, and original written work. Fellows receive mentorship from faculty and industry leaders, publish selected work through the SIGNAL platform, earn a Certificate of Participation, and receive academic credit during the spring semester.