#126 - Vaccine Coverage, Tech Fellowships, and Positivity Around the World!
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In the News
💉 The US just pledged $1.58B to cover GAVI’s $9B budget through 2030. This money will help distribute millions of vaccines and save innumerable lives. USA! USA! USA!
💸 Relatedly, the EU just kicked in $800M to help jumpstart vaccine manufacturing in Africa
🏭 A new report from EIG details how American counties that used to specialize in manufacturing have bounced back after the recession. The NYT Briefing covered it well.
💊 The PillBot is a little robot with cameras & sensors that, once swallowed, can help measure what’s going on in the GI tract.
🧠 New brain scans reveal how neurons encode individual words’ meanings.
Opportunities
“The Horizon Fellowship helps experts in emerging technology launch their careers in public service. The fellowship places experts in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and other emerging technologies in federal agencies, congressional offices and committees, and leading think tanks in Washington, DC for up to two years. Fellows will join a community of 50+ alumni and receive comprehensive training, networking opportunities, and financial support to launch their careers in public service. Applications are now open for the 2025 cohort. The application deadline is August 30th, 2024.”
Recidiviz is looking for a senior data analyst. “Recidiviz is creating safer, healthier communities by improving outcomes for people in the criminal justice system. We build technology to reduce the number of people in prison and to help criminal justice leaders embrace data-driven decision-making. Using software tools and thoughtful product design, we’ve been able to safely and permanently reduce incarceration and improve outcomes. We work side-by-side with leaders of the criminal justice system, people in prison and on supervision, and ecosystem partners to build a better path forward. In addition to the revenue we earn from state partners, some of the most respected philanthropists and foundations support our work.”
The Foresight Fellowship application is live and closes on July 31st! “The Foresight Fellowship is a one-year program committed to giving change-makers the support to accelerate their bold ideas into the future. Our mission is to catalyze collaboration among leading young scientists, engineers, and innovators who work to advance technologies for the benefit of life.”
A new AI safety-focused technical education program called ARENA just announced its next cohort will be running from September to October this year! “Our mission is to provide talented individuals with the skills, tools, and environment necessary for upskilling in ML engineering, for the purpose of contributing directly to AI alignment in technical roles.” Apply by July 20th
“Solve Education! is a philanthropic organization committed to enabling people to empower themselves through education. Our focus is to help children and youth around the globe receive effective and fun education.” They are currently hiring for lots of roles, both technical and non-technical.
The Non-Trivial Fellowship has opened up their applications for this year. It’s an 8-week online program for young people (pre-college) seeking roles and opportunities in high-impact sectors, or for people who are brave enough to start their own entrepreneurial projects.
What We’re Watching
A remarkable story about how the Rwandan people were able to heal each other through group sociotherapy after the 1994 genocide. It’s an amazing read that demonstrates how mental health can be addressed and supported even in the darkest times.
A new report from the ILO predicts that global unemployment will be 4.9% for 2024, which is staggeringly low.
A Gallup poll of 142,000 participants found that people are actually feelin’ pretty good.
40,000 Kenyans used Zello, an anonymous walkie talkie app, to help organize protests against a controversial bill.
Quotes We Love
“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”
―Joseph Campbell
That’s all for now! See you in your inbox in another two weeks! ❤️