AI Innovation Manager

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position could be based in Arlington-VA, Seattle-WA, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Suriname, or Mexico 

Rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming conservation science, offering powerful tools for mapping, monitoring, and predicting outcomes for nature. Conservation International (CI) is developing a strategic approach to harness AI to support our conservation mission, while carefully considering the technology’s ethical, environmental, and social challenges. The AI Innovation Manager will play a key role in supporting CI’s efforts to leverage these advances for conservation impact, ensuring our approach is responsible and strategic. This role offers the opportunity for a motivated individual to shape CI’s – and the broader conservation community’s – engagement with AI at a critical moment.

The AI Innovation Manager will play a pivotal role in advancing CI’s integration of AI into conservation programs, with special attention to how AI can be applied to amplify other conservation technologies (e.g., acoustic monitoring, eDNA, geospatial data) to solve challenges at the biodiversity-climate nexus. 

This role will bridge the gap between artificial intelligence capabilities and conservation needs, focusing on knowledge sharing, capacity building, partner engagement, and supporting CI’s active prototyping of AI solutions to address key conservation needs. The role includes researching, gathering, reviewing, and summarizing information on AI and other conservation technologies, developing key AI resources, briefs, and training materials, and supporting CI’s “AI community” across the global and country programs.  The role includes opportunities for directly developing low-code AI proofs of concept, as well as working with technology partners to support more robust AI prototyping.

This position does not supervise staff. Duties are performed under general supervision.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Internal communications and AI capacity building

• Develop, coordinate, and deliver an "AI for conservationists" curriculum and other workshop and learning opportunities.
• Manage an AI seminar series and training programs.
• Support staff participation in external AI training opportunities.
• Curate and maintain an internal resource and communications channel for AI-related content, ensuring accessibility and relevance to CI teams globally.

Partnership Engagement

• Represent CI in discussions with conservation technology providers and AI partners to explore collaboration opportunities.
• Maintain an understanding of industry trends and AI and conservation tech providers in order to serve as a key resource for internal CI teams seeking guidance on AI applications.

Piloting and Technical AI project support

• Help identify and evaluate AI pilot opportunities within CI country and global conservation workstreams.
• Collaborate with CI’s country teams and external technology partners to facilitate on-the-ground AI pilots, proof of concept projects, and implementation, ensuring CI’s standards in ethical and effective AI use are met.

Research and Evaluation of AI Solutions

• Conduct research on emerging AI (and other nature technology) platforms, technologies and partners, focusing on their potential to support conservation efforts.
• Support the development of AI use cases for multimodal data integration.
• Track and document AI use cases across the organization to identify opportunities for scaling successful initiatives.

Additional Responsibilities 

• Support the delivery, execution, and sharing of other activities under the broader Nature Tech and AI Innovation portfolio.
• As interest and capabilities allow, prototype AI proofs of concept using low or no code interfaces to demonstrate AI’s potential to deliver on internal team needs. Assess and communicate their capabilities and limitations through case studies and internal documentation. 

People and Resource Management Responsibilities

• This position does not have responsibility for directing the work of others, managing a budget, or managing public or private funds.

Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Typical office environment.
• Some travel is optional (<20%). 
• Willingness to work flexible hours to support conferences and meetings in different time zones.
• This position follows a hybrid work structure, working some days from the office and some remotely. Guidance will be shared during the interview process.
• This role will be a 1-year fixed-term assignment, with the potential to extend. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, conservation, computer science, or related field.
• 4 to 6 years of experience in environmental/conservation work or AI/technology work.
• Demonstrated understanding of AI capabilities and applications, particularly in environmental contexts.
• Experience with basic prompt engineering and generative AI tools.
• Familiarity with key technical platforms and languages, including Python, version control (Git), and at least one low-code AI platform (e.g. Obviously AI, Hugging Face).
• Ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical audiences.
• Strong communication and teaching skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work across teams and cultures.
• Creative problem-solver who enjoys exploring new technologies.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Preferred

• Familiarity with key AI applications relevant to conservation, such as:
  • Multimodal data fusion (combining satellite imagery, sensor data, field observations)
  • Acoustic monitoring and bioacoustic analysis
  • Geospatial foundation models and Earth observation
• Experience with conservation technology tools or platforms.
• Experience creating educational content or training materials.
• Familiarity with remote sensing, GIS, or environmental data analysis.

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility-committed employer. We are proud to have a diverse, global workforce where employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, position requirements, business needs, market conditions, merit, and other legitimate nondiscriminatory factors.