Work description: AI Strategy Consultant for the Integration of Privacy-Preserving AI into Open Data Editor (ODE)
Location: Global (remote)
Type of Contract: consultancy
Duration: 4 weeks maximum
Compensation: $3,000
Location: Remote, with availability for virtual meetings at Central European Time 
Reporting to: OKFN Tech Lead
Application Deadline: May 30, 2025  
 

Open Data Editor

The Open Data Editor (ODE) is a no-code platform for non-technical users (e.g., journalists, activists, public administrators) to help detect errors in tables. The ODE Strategy 2025 emphasises enhancing data literacy, accessibility, and responsible AI integration to empower non-technical communities. A key objective is to embed privacy-preserving AI (e.g., local Large Language Models) to enhance data validation and usability while ensuring transparency and explainability. The AI integration process will involve active engagement with the ODE core team and broader community, with outcomes shared publicly to guide other organisations.

Work Description

Guide the responsible integration of privacy-preserving AI into ODE, a desktop application built with PySide6, to support data validation for non-technical users. Collaborate with the Product Owner, two senior developers, and the ODE community to ensure transparency and accessibility.  Offer strategic expertise to shape the AI integration and create public-facing documentation to share insights with the general public.

Scope of Work

The AI Consultant will:

• Review and provide general feedback for the core ODE team's AI integration plan.
• Create and test prompts to assess the quality and accuracy of AI outputs and identify possible issues.
• Propose strategies to ensure AI integration is transparent and accountable, prioritising clear, user-accessible explanations and ethical oversight for ODE users.
• Participate in 1–2 ODE Hours (virtual community sessions) to discuss AI integration choices, share progress, and gather feedback from diverse community members, including non-technical users. 

Deliverables

• An AI Strategy document with example prompts, including strengths, limitations, best practices, and key considerations.
• A document listing practical recommendations to make a responsible integration of an AI component.
• A blog post addressing ethical concerns and potential pitfalls of AI in data products, based on ODE team collaboration.
• Participation in 1–2 ODE Hours (virtual community sessions).

Desirable

• Experience with open-source projects or data-focused platforms (e.g., CKAN, Frictionless).
• Knowledge of FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).
• Familiarity with global development challenges and resource-constrained environments.
• Experience in guiding product teams in the implementation of AI features.

If you’d like to apply, please send your CV or institutional profile, your availability and a short cover note highlighting your interest in the role and outlining your suitability to jobs@okfn.org. The position will be filled on a rolling basis, so you might be contacted before the application deadline.

At Open Knowledge Foundation we are committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace and aim to cultivate and sustain a diverse, equitable, and inclusive team. We value and encourage diversity because a range of experiences and perspectives enriches our work and strengthens our ability to address complex challenges. Applicants from communities that are under-represented in our workplace – ethnic minorities, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTI+ individuals are encouraged to apply.

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