Also called: Tech Policy Analyst, AI Governance Researcher
Studies how artificial intelligence should be regulated and advises governments and companies.
AI policy researchers read technical papers, analyze risks like deepfakes or job loss, and draft recommendations for lawmakers. Some work at AI labs, others at think tanks or government offices. It's one of the newest policy careers.
AI lab policy teams pay at the high end.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Bachelor's or master's in computer science, public policy, or law.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Computer Science, Public Policy, Philosophy, Economics, Political Science.
Growing much faster than average. Approximate; new and growing field.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI itself helps summarize papers; demand for people who understand both the tech and the law is growing, though writing-heavy entry work shrinks.
Classes: AP Computer Science, AP Government, AP Statistics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-3099.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.