Lisbon AI Safety Hub adds second fellowship cohort after strong applicant demand
Students and professionals are studying AI risks and governance using Lens Academy materials, with BlueDot Impact grant support and guidance toward further training and careers
Group photo shared by Caleb Eli Price with his announcement of Lisbon AI Safety Hub’s second fellowship cohort. Photo: Caleb Eli Price.
Lisbon AI Safety Hub has started a second Foundations of AI Safety Fellowship cohort after attracting strong applicants to its first group, according to President Caleb Eli Price. The Portugal-based initiative brings together participants with backgrounds including data science, security and the military to study advanced AI risks and routes into safety work.
“We had so many strong applicants for our first #fellowship that we had to open up a second cohort!” Price wrote on LinkedIn, announcing that the new group had held its first session.
Participants are using materials developed by Lens Academy to work through the AI Safety Atlas textbook. Price also credited a grant from BlueDot Impact with making the fellowship and the hub’s events possible.
The program combines foundational learning with a career focus. “The goal is to increase everyone's knowledge and help people transition into impactful roles in AI safety organizations, government or grassroots movements,” Price said.
Building a route from interest to practical work
Lisbon AI Safety Hub, also known as LAISH, focuses on students and working professionals who are early in their engagement with AI safety. Its activities cover technical AI, safety and governance, with participation extending beyond people with technical backgrounds.
The hub’s June 2026 white paper describes an eight-week fellowship covering AI fundamentals, risks, mitigation strategies and ways to get involved. It sets out a certificate of completion, continued community access and career guidance to help graduates pursue further fellowships, study, employment or volunteering.
LAISH’s wider outreach targets students at institutions including ISCTE University Institute of Lisbon, Nova School of Business and Economics, and Técnico ULisboa. The white paper also describes public guest lectures at ISCTE on technical safety, governance and the EU AI Act.
The hub positions its courses and discussion groups as preparation for more active contributions, such as research projects, campaigns and hackathons. Progression into paid fellowships and professional roles is an intended outcome, rather than a result reported for the new cohort.
Learning materials and grant support
Lens Academy develops online AI safety education and career guidance, including intermediate programs for professionals moving into the field. Its materials provide the structure for the Lisbon group’s study of the AI Safety Atlas.
BlueDot Impact, which Price thanked for the grant, runs AI safety and governance courses alongside career support, events and funding programs. The announcement does not disclose the grant amount or the number of participants in the second cohort.
LAISH’s published plans include expanding fellowship places, developing an extended program and an intensive one-week course, and organizing joint hackathons with AI safety communities in Barcelona and Madrid. Dates for those activities have not been specified.
People interested in future fellowship opportunities or the hub’s newsletter can register their interest through the LAISH website. The second cohort’s first session has already taken place; Price’s announcement does not provide a new application deadline.
