Rockefeller Foundation Names 2026 Big Bets Fellows Focused on Economic Opportunity and AI

April 22, 2026
The Rockefeller Foundation announced ten new U.S. Big Bets Fellows for 2026, supporting projects that expand economic opportunity through technology, workforce development, and community investment.

The Rockefeller Foundation announced in a press release its second class of U.S. Big Bets Fellows during the Big Bets for America convening in Baltimore. The 2026 fellowship includes ten innovators from across the country working on projects that foster economic opportunity and community resilience.

The fellows' initiatives include the use of artificial intelligence to connect job seekers with employers, expand training access, and streamline community development processes. Projects range from building AI tools to assist under-resourced communities in California with infrastructure planning to creating AI based job matching platforms in Ohio. Other efforts include scaling apprenticeships in New Jersey and supporting workforce coordination in Tennessee.

Over the five-month program, the fellows will receive tailored training, networking, and professional development to refine their strategies and expand their impact. The fellowship continues the Foundation's focus on advancing locally driven solutions, following the first U.S. cohort launched in 2025.

The Big Bets Fellowship is part of the Foundation’s broader effort to support community leaders addressing economic and technological challenges across the United States.

We hope you enjoyed this article.

Consider subscribing to one of our newsletters like AI Policy Brief or Daily AI Brief.

Also, consider following us on social media:

AI Safety & Regulation AI Brief AI Brief (X)

More from: Regulation

04/22
Mozilla Foundation Hosts Copyforward Symposium on AI and Creative Ownership in Los Angeles
04/21
Dubai International Financial Centre to Become World's First AI Native Financial Hub
04/21
European Data Protection Board Extends Europrivacy Certification Worldwide
04/21
ZaiNar Opens Tokyo Office, Joins City’s Green Transformation Program
04/21
Brado AI Completes CMS Health Technology Ecosystem Pledge

Subscribe to AI Policy Brief

Weekly report on AI regulations, safety standards, government policies, and compliance requirements worldwide.

AI Token Webinar

Whitepaper

Stanford HAI’s 2025 AI Index Reveals Record Growth in AI Capabilities, Investment, and Regulation

The 2025 AI Index by Stanford HAI provides a comprehensive overview of the global state of artificial intelligence, highlighting significant advancements in AI capabilities, investment, and regulation. The report details improvements in AI performance, increased adoption in various sectors, and the growing global optimism towards AI, despite ongoing challenges in reasoning and trust. It serves as a critical resource for policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders to understand AI's rapid evolution and its implications.

Read more

You May Also Like