Want a job that’s safe from AI? Have you considered the Government?
The reason AI is so hot right now is that AI changes the economics of software development. If Jevon’s paradox is true then we’re about to see a massive explosion of software explode in places where it was not possible to build software economically before. One of the main places where this is going to play out is in the field of CivicTech and GovTech.
I think it is inevitable that a population that can create software on demand will eventually turn its attention to the software that manages the large systems of the State and see if they can’t be made better. This is one of the higher leverage uses of tech as the State has the capacity to impact the life of every citizen.
It is also necessary for a Government to keep up technologically with the rest of society else it risks becoming unable to govern. All this to say that y’all should participate in the Build For Bharat fellowship. Details below.
Build for Bharat fellowship
Build for Bharat Fellowship places early-career design, engineering and AI talent inside government to improve the sarkari apps and portals that millions of Indians depend on.
Beyond the five or six names everyone knows (IRCTC, Aadhaar, the ITR portal), there are thousands of apps and portals through which government delivers on scholarships, livelihoods, land records, road maintenance and more. When they break, the people responsible for those promises can’t get their work done. Gov-tech is, in a real sense, the back office of the country.
The teams building these systems are often short of people who are both good at their craft and understand public systems, incentives and the complexities of India. The fellowship is a way in: a structured program, mentorship from some of the country’s top bureaucrats and technologists, and a six-month deputation inside a government department where you actually ship changes.
Applications for the third cohort are open until October 31.
See what previous fellows built at bharatdigital.org/projects, or learn more at bharatdigital.org/fellowship
Here’s why you should care - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1VNcu6yZR5WWkno_8XbEM0fL8mDb1xN4IkwOPaiFzSdo/edit?slide=id.p#slide=id.p
And now on to the jobs.