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2025-11-05-macarthur-foundation-director-ai-opportunity-cover-letter

Tuesday, November 5th, 2025

Dear MacArthur Foundation Hiring Team,

I'm applying for the Director, AI Opportunity role because it represents the convergence of everything I've dedicated my career to: empowering young people, democratizing access to transformative technology, and building bridges between technical innovation and community impact.

As an ex-Google software engineer from Chicago with a BS in Computer Science from Duke University and Forbes 30 Under 30 recognition for social impact, I've spent years at the intersection of technology and youth empowerment. Now, as a recent top graduate of Gauntlet AI's intensive engineering bootcamp, I'm uniquely positioned to lead a program that shapes how AI expands access to good jobs and economic mobility for young people in my hometown.

Why I'm the Right Fit​

I Bridge Technical and Community Worlds​

This role requires someone who can translate between AI researchers and civil society leaders. That's exactly what I do.

I started my career as a Software Engineer at Google Cloud from 2015 to 2019, leading a small team. I understand how technologists think. But I left Google's "Golden Handcuffs" because years of studying systems theory and social movements showed me what happens when technology development isn't community-centered.

Since then, I've built movements at the intersection of emerging technology and social impact:

  • Built Civics Unplugged: Co-founded and led for three years, training close to 2,000 Gen Z civic innovators across 70+ countries. We achieved financial and operational sustainability by making complex concepts actionable and matching fellows with meaningful opportunities. Named Forbes 30 Under 30 for this work.

  • Launched Dream DAO: Built the Web3 x social impact ecosystem for Gen Z after securing support from Ethereum Foundation, Coinbase, and Celo. We proved young people don't have to choose between technological innovation and social impact.

  • Organized Edge City Denver 2024: Led a seven-day event with 3,000+ attendees across crypto, AI, and biotech. Average satisfaction: 4.6/5. Success required bridging technical researchers with community builders.

The pattern is clear: I know how to make transformative technology accessible to young people while ensuring community voices shape how that technology develops.

I Understand AI's Technical Nuances and Social Implications​

I recently graduated top of my class from Gauntlet AI, an AI-first coding bootcamp. I'm fluent in how AI systems work, their capabilities and limitations, and the technical considerations for responsible deployment.

But my understanding goes beyond code. I understand the fundamental questions at the heart of AI Opportunity's mission: whose knowledge, values, and priorities get encoded into AI systems? How do we ensure AI development serves communities rather than extracting from them? What does equitable AI adoption actually look like in practice?

One of my mentors is Travis Oliphant, who wrote some of the most popular open-source libraries in the Python ecosystem (NumPy, SciPy). He's already said he'd be willing to help if I take on this role. His expertise in democratizing powerful technology through open-source development would be an invaluable resource for this program.

I'm Deeply Committed to Chicago​

I'm from Chicago. This isn't just another city to me. It's home. The opportunity to lead a program focused on expanding AI opportunity for young people in Chicago is deeply personal.

I understand the economic challenges young Chicagoans face. I've seen how technological opportunity concentrates in certain neighborhoods and bypasses others. I know that AI tools are being integrated across society, but often not in ways that serve the communities who need economic mobility most.

This program is a chance to change that. To ensure future generations of young Chicagoans can see themselves in a world shaped by AI and have pathways to engage productively and equitably.

I Have a Track Record Building and Leading Teams​

As Director, I'll need to design and build a team fit to purpose. I've done this before:

  • At Google Cloud, I led a small engineering team
  • At Civics Unplugged, I built a team that trained thousands across 70+ countries
  • For Dream DAO, I coordinated guest speakers, mentors, and partners across the crypto ecosystem
  • For Edge City Denver, I managed speakers, vendors, and partnerships

I know how to foster cultures of collaboration, hold space for team members' growth, and instill accountability while maintaining alignment with organizational values.

I Can Represent the Foundation in National Conversations​

I've consistently been a public voice for democratizing access to transformative technology:

I know how to publish insights that shape fields, participate on panels, and collaborate with funders on shared challenges.

I Bring Field Leadership Experience​

I've built relationships across philanthropy, technology, civic society, and major institutions:

  • Advising the Catholic Church on AI and digital transformation: Currently working with Vatican leadership on AI strategy, education, and ethics for an institution serving 1.3 billion people. I'm visiting Rome as I write this letter. This work has taught me how to help large, mission-driven institutions navigate AI responsibly while maintaining their core values.
  • Secured support from Ethereum Foundation, Coinbase, Celo, and the Smithsonian
  • Partnered with employers and educators to create meaningful opportunities for young people
  • Engaged with the White House faith office on how emerging technologies impact the next generation
  • Collaborated with funders on shared interests in youth empowerment and technology access

I understand how to work with institutions at every scale—from startups to the world's oldest institution—and identify strategic initiatives that respond to emerging opportunities while maintaining alignment with long-term mission.

My Vision for AI Opportunity​

AI Opportunity sits at a critical moment. The technologies collectively known as AI have the potential to transform access to good jobs and economic mobility. But that potential won't be realized automatically. It requires intentional work to ensure AI development is community-centered and that pathways to AI opportunity reach those historically excluded from technological advancement.

I want to lead grantmaking strategies that demonstrate what responsible, equitable AI adoption looks like in practice. I want to support innovative approaches that put young people at the center of AI development, not just as users but as builders and decision-makers. I want to publish insights that shape how the field thinks about AI and economic opportunity.

Most importantly, I want to ensure young people in Chicago can see themselves in a world shaped by AI and have real pathways to engage productively. My life's work has been about democratizing human flourishing. AI Opportunity is the natural evolution of that mission.

My Commitment​

This role is time-limited for an initial period of 5 years. That timeline aligns perfectly with building something transformative. I've proven I can build sustainable programs that achieve meaningful impact within that timeframe.

I'm ready to partner with the Director of TPI, the incoming Executive Director of Humanity AI, and foundation partners to develop and implement strategies that make AI opportunity real for young people in Chicago and beyond.

This isn't just another job opportunity for me. This is the intersection of my technical expertise, my commitment to youth empowerment, my hometown, and my belief that technology should serve people first.

I'd love to discuss how my experience bridging technical and community worlds, my track record empowering young people at scale, and my vision for community-centered AI development can help the MacArthur Foundation achieve its mission.

Thank you for your consideration.

Gary Sheng