Code of Conduct
The standard we hold ourselves to, and expect from every fellow.
Effective from Cohort 1 · July 1, 2026 · Version 1.0
Why this exists
Gayiti is not a casual program. Fellows are working on real projects connected to Gaya's network, using professional tools, and building a track record that will follow them into their careers. That means the standard we hold ourselves to matters.
This code of conduct is not a list of rules designed to catch people out. It is a shared agreement about the kind of environment we are building together, and the kind of professionals we expect fellows to become.
Access to Gayiti is a privilege. It is earned by your application and maintained by your conduct. Every fellow who joins takes a spot that someone else wanted. That responsibility does not end at the application.
Commitment
The program is built around self-directed learning and real output. That model only works if every fellow shows up consistently and delivers what they commit to.
- Show up consistently. Communicate before a deadline if you cannot meet it, not after.
- Deliver your weekly milestones. If you are stuck, ask for help. Disappearing is not an option.
- Engage with the program actively. The more you put in, the more you get out.
- Treat the program as a professional obligation, not a side activity.
- Going silent without notice for more than 48 hours during an active program week.
- Missing two consecutive milestones without prior communication.
- Submitting incomplete or placeholder work without flagging it as such.
Honesty and authenticity
Gayiti is built on trust. Trust between fellows and Gaya. Trust between Ayiti AI and the community it represents. That trust is only possible if everyone is honest about their work, their progress, and their capabilities.
- Submit work that is genuinely yours. This includes application responses, project submissions, and milestones.
- Although we are supporters of AI, we strongly encourage you to write from the heart. We will be able to tell.
- Be honest about where you are struggling. Asking for help is not a weakness. Pretending you are fine when you are not wastes everyone's time.
- Represent your skills and experience accurately at all times, including in your application.
- Submitting AI-generated responses to application questions as your own.
- Presenting someone else's work as your own at any point in the program.
- Misrepresenting your progress or deliverable status to the program team.
Professionalism and respect
Fellows interact with Gaya's team, Ayiti AI staff, and each other. Every interaction is a reflection of who you are as a professional. Gayiti is an opportunity to build your reputation, and reputation is built in how you treat people.
- Communicate professionally in all program channels, whether with Gaya, Ayiti AI, or other fellows.
- Respect people's time. Be prepared for calls, respond within a reasonable timeframe, and keep communications clear.
- Give honest feedback when asked. Be constructive, not destructive.
- Support the people around you. A fellow who helps others grow is the kind of engineer every team wants.
- Disrespectful, dismissive, or hostile communication in any form.
- Harassment, discrimination, or any conduct that makes others feel unsafe or unwelcome.
- Using program channels for self-promotion, spam, or off-topic content.
Confidentiality
Fellows will have access to real projects, internal workflows, tools, and in some cases information about Gaya's clients and operations. This access is given in trust. It must be treated accordingly.
- Keep everything you see, hear, or work on inside the program confidential unless explicitly told otherwise.
- Do not share project briefs, internal tools, Gaya materials, or program details outside of the fellowship without written permission.
- If you are unsure whether something is confidential, ask before sharing.
- Sharing Gaya's internal materials, workflows, or client information with anyone outside the program.
- Posting about confidential program content on social media or public channels.
- Using knowledge gained in the program for personal commercial purposes without authorization.
A confidentiality breach is treated as a serious violation. It may result in immediate removal from the program and, depending on the nature of the breach, legal consequences.
Use of AI tools
Gayiti gives fellows access to professional AI tools including Claude Code, Windsurf, and others. We believe AI is a legitimate and powerful part of how modern engineers work. We also believe there is a difference between using AI as a tool and hiding behind it.
- Use AI tools to learn faster, build smarter, and ship better work. That is why we provide them.
- Understand what the AI is doing. If you cannot explain your own code or workflow, you have not learned it.
- Write your own application responses, reflections, and communications. AI-generated submissions undermine the program's ability to assess who you actually are.
- Submitting AI-generated work as your own without understanding or attribution.
- Using AI to generate application responses, especially when you have checked the authenticity checkbox.
- Relying on AI to complete milestones you have not engaged with yourself.
Consequences
This program is selective. The same standard that got you in is the standard that keeps you in. Violations are handled consistently and without exception.
Serious breaches include but are not limited to: confidentiality violations, harassment, fraud, misrepresentation, and any conduct that damages Gayiti, Gaya, or Ayiti AI.
Reporting
If you experience or witness a violation of this code, you are encouraged to report it. Reports are handled with discretion and taken seriously.
- Email the Ayiti AI program team directly at hey@gayiti.ai.
- Mention it in a private message to your program contact if you prefer.
- You may report anonymously. Anonymous reports may be harder to investigate but will still be reviewed.
No fellow will face retaliation for making a good-faith report. If you see something, say something.
Acknowledgement
Every fellow accepts this code of conduct as part of their application commitment. By submitting the application and checking the commitment checkboxes, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to abide by this code for the full duration of the program.
Gayiti reserves the right to update this code of conduct. Fellows will be notified of material changes at least one week before they take effect.