15 AI Internships for Undergraduates in Arizona
As an undergraduate, completing an internship strengthens your resume with relevant experience, improves your employability, and provides practical exposure to real-world workflows. It also helps expand your professional network and gain career clarity beyond the classroom. For students interested in artificial intelligence, internships provide hands-on opportunities to apply theoretical concepts through practical tasks such as model testing and data governance.
You can check out other AI internships available for undergraduates in our blog here!
Why should I do an Artificial Intelligence internship in college?
An AI internship in college allows you hands-on experience through tasks such as risk documentation, content automation, and algorithm integration, while building proficiency in tools like Python and governance frameworks. You can collaborate with professionals, receive structured feedback, and often present project outcomes, strengthening your employability by demonstrating applied AI experience to recruiters. These roles also provide valuable access to Arizona’s technology and defense ecosystem, creating ongoing networking opportunities.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 AI internships for Undergraduates in Arizona.
1. IBM Data Scientist Intern – AI Analytics & Automation
Location: Phoenix, AZ (IBM Consulting teams)
Cost/Stipend: Paid (competitive hourly rate)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: May/June - August/September
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduates pursuing computer science, data science, statistics, or related majors | prior programming and statistics coursework preferred
During this internship, you support IBM Consulting teams by contributing to client projects that apply artificial intelligence to analytics and automation challenges. You gain hands-on experience in designing data solutions on cloud platforms, testing machine learning models, and evaluating performance metrics for enterprise use. The role requires regular onsite presence, enabling real-time collaboration, hands-on learning, and direct mentorship from senior data scientists and consultants in a team-driven consulting environment. You also assist in integrating and modeling data, build efficient pipelines using tools such as Python, and contribute to data-driven insights. Throughout the internship, you collaborate with cross-functional teams, participate in structured project reviews, and present findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type | full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort, with options for spring (January), summer (May), fall (September), and winter (November).
Eligibility: Undergraduates and gap-year students who can work for 8 - 12 weeks, committing 10 - 20 hours/week
The Ladder University Internship Program matches students with startups or nonprofits to work on real-world AI and ML projects. These projects may involve building generative AI features, integrating tools into existing workflows, or developing production-ready machine-learning components. You will commit 5 - 10 hours per week and join weekly check-ins with your startup manager or founder to define the project scope, review progress, and finalize deliverables. You may present a progress update in week four and the completed project in week eight directly to the host company. You can also receive mentorship from experienced professionals, along with dedicated support from a Ladder coach for project and resume guidance. The program focuses on tangible portfolio outcomes that you can showcase. The program is fully virtual, so you can participate from anywhere in Arizona.
3. General Dynamics Mission Systems AI Risk Acceptance Intern
Location: Scottsdale, AZ (hybrid)
Cost/Stipend: Paid ($22.50 - $24.50 per hour)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Summer (typically 10 - 12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Undergraduates enrolled in an accredited program (preference for computer science, data science, or information security) | U.S. citizenship required
In this internship, you join the Risk & Compliance team to integrate artificial intelligence into enterprise risk processes. Your responsibilities include documenting cyber risks across cloud and on-premises systems and maintaining the enterprise risk register. You will draft concise risk summaries, support audit evidence collection, review security controls using tools such as Tenable, and assist with AI-driven governance workflows. Working closely with IT and governance stakeholders, you can contribute to continuous monitoring activities while gaining exposure to real-world risk management practices. The role also enables you to build a portfolio of documentation and risk artifacts for future applications, supported by senior mentorship in a structured hybrid working arrangement.
4. USA TODAY/Arizona Republic Summer Content AI Internship – Data & Story Discovery
Location: Phoenix, AZ (Arizona Republic newsroom)
Cost/Stipend: Paid ($18 per hour)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 10 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: January 16, as the recommended date
Eligibility: College juniors, seniors, or recent graduates in journalism, data journalism, computer science, or related fields
As an intern, you will assist the newsroom in the responsible use of deploying artificial intelligence for data journalism, story discovery, and workflow automation. Your work includes analyzing datasets using AI tools, testing emerging technologies for editorial efficiency, collaborating with journalists on pilot projects, and contributing to governance and evaluation discussions around AI adoption. Based in the Phoenix newsroom, you also support team training sessions and engage in regular reviews with editorial staff. This 10-week placement provides you with valuable professional collaboration and results in a portfolio of AI-supported content work for future opportunities.
5. General Dynamics Mission Systems AI Governance Intern
Location: Scottsdale, AZ (hybrid)
Cost/Stipend: Paid ($22.50 - $24.50 per hour)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Summer (typically 10 - 12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Undergraduates in computer science, data science, information systems, or related fields; U.S. citizenship required
In this internship, you will support the implementation of artificial intelligence governance by drafting policies, procedures, instructional content, quick-start guides, and intake templates. Your work includes improving Use Case Register workflows, conducting comparative analysis of external standards, and running user surveys to evaluate governance effectiveness. Throughout the placement, you may compile and communicate findings to stakeholders using tools such as SharePoint, Excel, and Power BI. The role produces practical governance artifacts that contribute to responsible AI delivery across defense projects, within a hybrid environment shaped by a strong cybersecurity context.
6. Nextiva AI Engineer Intern
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: 3 months full-time
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduates interested in AI engineering | available for on-site work
In this role, you will design and operationalize AI workflows that improve pipeline efficiency and insight generation in a fast-paced, execution-focused environment. You can build and deploy lightweight AI agents and automation solutions to eliminate bottlenecks, experimenting with models such as OpenAI ChatGPT, Anthropic Claude, and internal LLM applications. Your responsibilities include testing automations, prototyping integrations to reduce repetitive go-to-market tasks, analyzing operational data to recommend optimizations, and generating dashboards to measure impact. You may also document playbooks, train teammates on deployed solutions, and collaborate closely with corporate strategy teams on real-world implementations.
7. Honeywell Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning Summer Intern
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Cost/Stipend: Paid | $20.00/hr - $42.00/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Summer (typically 10 - 12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Through end of March (rolling)
Eligibility: Undergraduates in computer science, engineering, or related fields | U.S. person required
In this internship, you will support software engineering teams at Honeywell on projects that integrate artificial intelligence and machine learning into complex aerospace and industrial applications. Working alongside AI engineers and researchers, you can help design, develop, and test models that process large-scale datasets and deliver actionable results. Your responsibilities include developing algorithms in Python, JavaScript, and C++, analyzing data to improve performance, and contributing to system integration within product development cycles. You may participate in code reviews, collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams, and present progress to stakeholders. This role provides hands-on experience in applying AI to real-world industrial use cases while building technical and analytical skills in a highly regulated environment.
8. Avnet AI Engineering Intern
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Cost/Stipend: Paid, $20.00/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: 12 weeks, May 18 - August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduates in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Information Science, or related technical fields | GPA of 3.0 or higher
You will join technology teams at Avnet to work on projects that integrate artificial intelligence into software and data solutions, contributing to coding, testing AI features, and supporting engineering deliverables within a 12-week structured program. As an intern, you can gain hands-on experience in a collaborative environment, working alongside teams that span design, supply chain, and innovation processes across the product lifecycle. The internship combines project-based work with learning sessions, performance feedback, and opportunities to connect with leadership, helping you build both technical and professional skills. Through team collaboration and real-world exposure, you may contribute to meaningful outcomes while gaining insight into how a global technology organization operates.
9. TSMC Arizona CIM Engineer Intern (Machine Learning Focus)
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: 10 weeks, June 1 - August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduates enrolled in bachelor’s programs in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, computer science, or related fields | must be continuing studies after the summer
You join the DevOps team at TSMC’s Arizona fabrication facility to work on analytical projects and machine vision projects that address production line challenges. You apply pattern recognition and machine learning techniques while developing and refining machine learning or statistics models and algorithms. Additional responsibilities include building web components, implementing monitoring systems using Prometheus and Grafana on Kubernetes, and creating automated deployment pipelines through Azure DevOps. You follow agile practices and collaborate directly with manufacturing engineers on-site. The 10-week full-time program produces deliverables you can reference in your portfolio. Cleanroom access and on-site presence in Phoenix are required.
10. Salt River Project (SRP) College Intern – Microsoft 365 / Copilot AI
Location: Tempe, AZ (Hybrid)
Cost/Stipend: Paid (competitive hourly rate) + $1,000 tuition assistance per calendar year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Year-round / Flexible (minimum 15 hours per week, up to 40 hours; can be full-time during summer)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduates currently enrolled in at least 6 college credits per semester (100-level or higher) at an accredited institution; must live and work in Arizona; strong interest in Microsoft 365 technologies and AI tools preferred
In this internship, you’ll support SRP’s Information Technology team in leveraging Microsoft 365 and Copilot AI to enhance productivity, collaboration, and information management. Your responsibilities include assisting with the deployment and optimization of Copilot features, testing AI-driven workflows, supporting user adoption of generative AI tools, and contributing to best practices for secure and effective AI use in a regulated utility environment. You can gain hands-on experience with enterprise AI integration, data governance, and the application of large language models in business processes while collaborating with IT professionals, participating in project reviews, and evaluating AI solutions for operational efficiency in a hybrid setting in Tempe.
11. Insight AI Developer Intern
Location: Phoenix, AZ or remote
Cost/Stipend: Paid, $27/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: 10 weeks in summer, starting on June 1
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: College juniors in Data Science, AI, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related fields | programming experience required
You work on AI software development projects at Insight’s Phoenix office, contributing to the design, development, testing, and integration of artificial intelligence solutions for client-facing tools. In this role, you can help develop and improve AI capabilities within the InsightGPT platform, build prototypes, and support deployment workflows under technical guidance. Your responsibilities also include maintaining and enhancing existing systems, researching and implementing new technologies to improve performance, and documenting code updates for future use. Working within an agile environment, you may join daily stand-ups, contribute to sprint deliverables, and collaborate with cross-functional teams. This hands-on experience strengthens your technical foundation and offers opportunities to build new AI products, develop practical skills, and grow within a solutions-driven organization.
12. ASARCO Data Science Intern
Location: Mesa, AZ
Cost/Stipend: Paid ($16 - $23 per hour range)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: 10 weeks, June - August
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduates pursuing a bachelor’s in data science, engineering, operations research, statistics, computer science, or related fields
As a Data Science Intern, you support the Advanced Analytics Group on projects in process optimization, operational intelligence, and strategic analysis within the mining industry. You will help translate business problems into analytical solutions by working with subject-matter experts to extract, clean, and interpret data. Your responsibilities include building AI/ML, optimization, or simulation models, developing data pipelines, and supporting deployment on Microsoft Azure. You also design Power BI dashboards to communicate insights and prepare presentations to share findings with stakeholders, including senior management. Through hands-on experience across the full analytics lifecycle, you can contribute to real-world solutions while developing practical skills in data science and operations research.
13. Sandhills Global Data Scientist Intern (AI/ML Focus)
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Cost/Stipend: Paid (competitive hourly rate)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Year-round / Flexible (Internships can start any time during the semester)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduates pursuing a degree in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or related quantitative fields. Strong programming skills (especially Python), statistics, and interest in machine learning/AI required.
In this internship, you’ll join Sandhills Global’s data science team in Scottsdale to support the development and testing of AI/ML solutions for its digital marketplace and software products. You can assist with analyzing data to solve business problems, building and evaluating machine learning models, performing feature engineering, and developing code for predictive features. As an intern, you also contribute to data preparation and curation, ensuring datasets are structured effectively for analysis and modeling. Working closely with full-time data scientists, you can help translate raw data into actionable insights by visualizing trends and communicating findings. This role provides hands-on experience across the data science lifecycle, including model development and deployment, while allowing you to build a strong portfolio of applied AI/ML work in a professional, in-office environment.
14. General Dynamics Mission Systems Cyber Analyst Intern (with AI focus)
Location: Scottsdale, AZ (hybrid)
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Summer (typically 10 - 12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Undergraduates with a cybersecurity or CS background | U.S. citizenship required
As an intern, you support the Security Operations Center (SOC) by analyzing cybersecurity data and applying AI-driven techniques for anomaly detection and predictive insights. Your responsibilities include monitoring system logs and security alerts, supporting incident response activities, developing automation scripts (for example, Python or PowerShell), and contributing to governance and reporting processes. Working alongside engineers, you can help identify threats, document findings, and participate in real-time monitoring projects. This role develops hands-on experience with modern security tools while strengthening your analytical, problem-solving, and reporting skills in a fast-paced cybersecurity environment.
15. Pathward Artificial Intelligence Intern
Location: Scottsdale, AZ or Remote
Cost/Stipend: Paid ($14 – $23 hourly)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Flexible (duration not specified)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduates currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Business, or related fields. Foundational knowledge of AI/ML concepts and experience using AI tools (e.g., Copilot, Claude) preferred
In this internship, you’ll support the design, development, and analysis of artificial intelligence services that enable machines to perceive, reason, learn, and make decisions. Your responsibilities include researching and prototyping AI solutions, supporting data collection, cleaning, and preprocessing, and participating in model training, validation, and evaluation. You also document model performance and limitations, contribute to integrating AI into enterprise workflows, and support AI training and education initiatives. Working alongside AI engineers and business teams, you can collaborate across functions while gaining hands-on experience with the full AI lifecycle, including governance and responsible AI practices, in a regulated financial services environment.
Summary
This list covers 15 AI internships for undergraduates in Arizona, spanning machine learning engineering, AI governance and policy, risk and compliance documentation, data science, cybersecurity with AI applications, semiconductor manufacturing, enterprise AI tool deployment, AI product development, and data journalism, hosted at organizations including IBM, Honeywell, General Dynamics Mission Systems, Avnet, TSMC, Salt River Project, Nextiva, Insight, Sandhills Global, ASARCO, Pathward, and USA TODAY, with disclosed hourly rates ranging from $14 to $23 at most roles and as high as $42 per hour at Honeywell, and with the majority of programs using rolling admissions except for USA TODAY which recommends a January 16 application date. The programs divide between roles centered on building and deploying AI models — IBM, Nextiva, TSMC, Insight, and Sandhills Global — which suit students with strong Python and machine learning experience, and governance, risk, compliance, and enterprise adoption roles at General Dynamics, Salt River Project, and Pathward, which are more accessible to students with a conceptual technical understanding combined with strong writing, documentation, and analytical communication skills. Students interested in the USA TODAY data journalism AI internship should treat January 16 as a firm deadline, while Honeywell closes on a rolling basis through the end of March and Avnet's 12-week program runs May 18 to August 7 with rolling applications that fill early.
Questions Students Often Ask About Creative Writing Programs
1. My programming skills are still developing. Are there AI internships on this list where deep software engineering experience is not required?
Yes, several roles are primarily documentation, governance, and analysis-focused rather than engineering-intensive. General Dynamics' AI Risk Acceptance and AI Governance internships both emphasize writing risk summaries, maintaining policy documents, and supporting governance workflows, with technical knowledge expected at a conceptual rather than deep programming level. Salt River Project's Microsoft 365 and Copilot AI role centers on enterprise AI tool adoption and user governance rather than model development. Pathward's AI internship includes supporting training and education initiatives alongside more technical work, making it more balanced between communication and coding. USA TODAY's AI content internship focuses on responsible AI use in editorial environments and requires analytical and editorial judgment rather than machine learning expertise.
2. General Dynamics appears three times on this list. Are these genuinely different roles, and should I apply to more than one?
The three General Dynamics roles are genuinely distinct. The AI Risk Acceptance Intern role centers on enterprise risk documentation, cyber risk registers, and security controls using tools like Tenable. The AI Governance Intern focuses on policy writing, governance procedure development, SharePoint management, and use case tracking. The Cyber Analyst Intern with AI focus supports the Security Operations Center with real-time threat monitoring and AI-driven anomaly detection. All three require U.S. citizenship and are hybrid-based in Scottsdale. Whether simultaneous applications to multiple roles at the same company are accepted is worth confirming with General Dynamics' recruiting team directly, but each application should emphasize the skills most directly relevant to that specific role rather than using a single general application for all three.
3. Several roles like TSMC and IBM require significant on-site presence in Phoenix. What should I know before applying?
TSMC's CIM Engineer Intern explicitly requires full on-site presence in Phoenix, including cleanroom access, which means relocation is necessary if you are not already in the Phoenix metro area. IBM's Data Scientist Intern role also emphasizes regular on-site collaboration with consulting teams in Phoenix. Honeywell and Avnet are similarly in-person in Phoenix and Scottsdale. Before applying to any of these, confirming whether you can commute or relocate to the Phoenix area for the summer is an essential first step, since remote or hybrid participation is not available for these specific placements. For students who need a full schedule or location flexibility, Salt River Project's hybrid structure and Pathward's remote-eligible option are the most geographically flexible choices on this list.