# OpenAI Fellows Program Completes Second Class, Opens Applications for Summer 2019

OpenAI announced that its Fall 2018 Fellows cohort has successfully completed their six-month apprenticeship program, with participants transitioning from machine learning beginners to core contributors at the AI research organization.

The OpenAI Fellows program is designed to provide intensive, hands-on training in artificial intelligence and machine learning. According to the tweet from @OpenAI, the second class of fellows has now wrapped up their final projects, demonstrating the program's ability to rapidly develop talent in the AI field.

The organization is now accepting applications on a rolling basis for the Summer 2019 cohort, offering aspiring AI researchers another opportunity to join the program.

**Why It Matters:** The Fellows program addresses a critical talent gap in AI research by creating a pathway for individuals without extensive machine learning backgrounds to contribute to cutting-edge AI development. By converting begin