Project summary

I am seeking support for a one-year Master’s in AI, Ethics & Society at Birkbeck, University of London (January 2025). This program is the clearest and most direct next step toward my long-term goal: contributing to global AI governance frameworks that reduce catastrophic and societal-scale risks.

My background includes programme coordination, Agile project management, and ethics-focused volunteer work. Over the past two years, I have intentionally repositioned my career toward AI governance through:

ALX Africa – AI Career Essentials

IBM/Coursera – Generative AI & Ethics

Scrum Master Certification

Volunteer work with the AI Ethics & Integrity International Association (AIEI)

Public confirmation: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/aiei-association_aiei-legalcommittee-legalai-activity-7374406053591040000-hb8u

This degree will equip me with the tools, network, and research base needed to enter AI governance work, particularly on issues affecting underrepresented regions such as Africa. My long-term vision is to contribute to international policy, safety regulation, and global AI risk mitigation, while opening pathways for more women to enter this field.

What are this project's goals? How will you achieve them?

1. Successfully complete the master’s programme

I will focus on:

Long-term risks of advanced AI.

AI governance and global coordination.

Algorithmic accountability.

Ethical regulation frameworks.

Societal-scale impact assessments.

2. Produce policy-relevant work during the degree

I plan to:

Contribute to research projects on AI safety.

Publish at least one policy brief.

Attend governance workshops and seminars.

Continue AIEI ethics advocacy work.

3. Secure an AI governance/policy role post-graduation

Target pathways include:

AI policy researcher.

Governance analyst.

Think tank roles.

Government or multilateral policy roles.

AI safety internships.

4. Expand impact through representation & outreach

I will:

Mentor young women interested in AI ethics.

Host virtual info sessions about AI governance pathways for Africans/International students.

Publish accessible resources on responsible AI.

How will this funding be used?

Tuition (Birkbeck) $26,000

Living Expenses (12 months) $19,000

Books/Contingency $5,000

Total Requested $50,000

Who is on your team? What's your track record on similar projects?

I have 5+ years of experience in roles requiring high responsibility:

Programme coordination.

Executive support.

Workflow management.

Public-facing webinar hosting.

Stakeholder relationship management.

Demonstrated Preparation for AI Governance:

ALX Africa AICE Certificate.

IBM Generative AI & Ethics.

Scrum Master certification (Agile leadership).

Volunteer with AIEI (confirmed publicly).

Host monthly governance/tech-themed webinars at the North-South Coalition of Nigeria.

What are the most likely causes and outcomes if this project fails?

Without this grant:

I will need to delay or decline my January 2025 admission.

I cannot fund UK tuition/living costs independently.

I have already applied for and was rejected by Open Philanthropy (May 2025).

Lower-cost alternatives (short courses, volunteer work) will not provide the level of depth, network, or career capital needed to enter AI governance effectively.

This makes Manifund my most viable pathway to contribute meaningfully to long-term AI safety work.

How much money have you raised in the last 12 months, and from where?

Amount raised: $0

Sources: N/A

I have not raised funds in the past 12 months. All work done so far—research, writing, community engagement, volunteering, and programme participation—has been self-funded. This is my first attempt at securing external funding to scale my impact.