The International Science Council (ISC) works at the global level to catalyse change by convening scientific expertise, advice and influence on issues of major importance to both science and society.
The ISC is an international non-governmental organization with a unique global membership that brings together 250 international scientific unions and associations, national and regional scientific organizations including academies and research councils, international federations and societies, and young academies and associations.
The International Science Council launched the Centre for Science Futures in May 2023 with the mandate to provide thought-leadership on transformations that impact the future of science systems. The Centre released a paper on preparedness for integrating AI in national research ecosystems in March 2024 titled “Preparing National Research Ecosystems for AI: Strategies and progress in 2024 “. Based on this work, the Centre received a grant of over one million Canadian dollars from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) in Canada to expand this project and delve deeper into AI, emerging technologies and their impact on science systems. Four work packages under this grant have been established under the project title ‘Science Systems Futures’.
In the discussions related to the paper on national research ecosystems for AI, recurrent issues emerged. These included the type of AI models and algorithms, ranging from Large Language Models to Machine Learning and Deep Learning; another was the lack of concern for and knowledge of the sustainable use of AI; while a third related to the opportunities to use AI to contribute to achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Centre is therefore exploring these three issues in more detail.
The ISC Science Systems Futures (SSF) core team is based entirely at the ISC. The team benefits from strategic guidance by an external Advisory Council to the Science Systems Futures project.
Through its previous work, the Science Systems Futures project is connected with over 60 global experts, mostly in the policy-for-science area, working on AI. These experts will be provide a useful sounding board for the work, and may also be provide input where relevant.
The consultant will develop the outline, content and full written paper, with references, for three technical papers on AI for Science.
The papers are expected to be short (less than 10 pages), and their goal is to help leaders of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) organizations and policy-makers understand the issues for science and science policy around AI. These are not policy recommendations, but should serve as a reference to help shape policies. If an angle needs to be taken, it should be taken in a way that provides value for leaders in STI in the Global South.
The three papers on AI for Science:
For each of these papers, an advisory committee will set up (by the SSF project team). This committee will advise the consultant in terms of content covered, and angle taken, to ensure that the papers respond to the goal of the SSF project.
Full papers should be prepared by the consultant and shared with the advisory committees and the Science Systems Futures project team.
A single round of consolidated feedback should be incorporated. Once this is done, all three papers will be sent for external review by the SSF core team. The consultant, in consultation with the SSF core team, will be expected to modify the papers in response to the external review, if required.
The papers should be provided in digital, editable format.
Visual design and layout services are not required.
Indicative budget: 500-750 EUR/day depending on experience, based on an estimation of 10 days for each paper.
Experience and expertise
Research and knowledge management
Project management
Communication skills
Global South presence
The ISC will assess offers on the following criteria:
The detailed timeline of the scoping exercise, consultation with experts and drafting of the papers will be co-developed with the consultant.
A tentative timeline is as follows:
Please apply by uploading your offer, in English, in one document, through the online form below. Your submission should contain the following, and should be a maximum of 6 pages in font no smaller than size 12:
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