Vista Institute for AI Policy

The Vista Institute for AI Policy is a nonprofit organization operating as a fiscally sponsored project of Rethink Priorities (EIN 84-3896318), based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to grow legal and policy expertise in AI and to promote risk-mitigating U.S. regulation of advanced AI systems. The institute pursues this mission along two main tracks. First, it works to establish AI law and policy as a recognized academic discipline at U.S. universities, recognizing that the policy research community working on AI challenges is still relatively small. Second, it invests directly in talent development by running structured programs that give students and working professionals the substantive knowledge, practical skills, and professional connections to build careers in this emerging field. Vista's programming includes part-time virtual courses—such as National Security Law and AI and AI Agents and the Law—designed for law students and professionals. It also hosts in-person workshops in Washington, DC, including invite-only sessions on U.S. AI strategy and securing advanced AI systems. The AI Law and Policy Fellowship supports students and recent graduates in undertaking independent research with mentor guidance or serving as research assistants alongside law and policy experts. The organization was co-founded by Coby Joseph, who serves as Director of Policy, and operates with a small core staff including a Director of Legal Research and National Security and AI Researcher, supported by a broader network of fellows and affiliated researchers. In January 2025, Open Philanthropy recommended a grant of $846,265 to the Vista Institute to support operational costs and field-building activities.