15 AI Internships for Undergraduates in Illinois
If you’re interested in Artificial Intelligence, internships are especially valuable because the field is highly applied and rapidly evolving. Working on real datasets, models, and systems allows you to understand how AI is used in production environments beyond theory. Illinois, particularly cities like Chicago, offers strong opportunities in AI across industries such as finance, healthcare, consulting, and technology.
You can check out other AI internships available for undergraduates in our blog here!
Why should I do an artificial intelligence internship in college?
Pursuing an AI internship in college allows you to apply concepts like machine learning, data analysis, and programming to real-world challenges, which significantly deepens your understanding. You also gain experience working with industry-standard tools such as Python, TensorFlow, or cloud platforms, making you more technically competitive. Beyond technical skills, you develop critical workplace abilities like collaboration, communication, and project management.
AI internships also give you exposure to different domains, such as healthcare AI, fintech, or automation, helping you identify your specific interests within the field. Most importantly, having relevant internship experience signals to employers that you can contribute to real projects, giving you a strong advantage when applying for full-time roles or advanced study programs.
In this list, we’ve curated 15 AI internships for undergraduates in Illinois, focusing on roles that provide hands-on experience, mentorship, and exposure to real-world problem-solving.
1. Bhuvi IT Solutions – AI Internship (Automation & Workflows)
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 5–15 interns
Dates: Summer (Standard 10-12 week cycle, typically June through August)
Application Deadline: Rolling / Mid-May
Eligibility: Undergraduate students currently enrolled in Computer Science, IT, Business, or related fields; requires familiarity with AI tools, CRMs, and automation workflows
In this role, you work on implementing AI-driven solutions for small and mid-sized businesses, gaining exposure to tools like ChatGPT, Zapier, and other no-code automation platforms. This makes it a strong entry-level opportunity if you’re interested in applied AI rather than purely theoretical work. A key highlight of this internship is its focus on hands-on implementation. You research and test AI tools, build automation workflows, and contribute to training materials and case studies used by clients. You also collaborate with consultants, which helps you understand how AI solutions are deployed in real business settings.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Costs vary depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25% acceptance; 70–100 students per session
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November); apply here
Eligibility: Undergraduate and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program offers a flexible, project-based internship experience where you work with startups and nonprofits across industries, including AI, technology, and business. In this program, you are matched with a company and contribute to real-world projects that address actual business needs, giving you practical exposure beyond classroom learning. The remote format allows you to collaborate with global teams while gaining experience relevant to fast-paced startup environments. A key highlight of this internship is its strong emphasis on ownership and applied learning. You work closely with a manager, develop solutions to real challenges, and present your work at the end of the program. This process helps you build technical, analytical, and communication skills while understanding how startups operate.
3. Trustmark – IT AI Innovation Summer Intern
Location: Lake Forest, IL
Stipend: $19.36 – $27.97 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Pursuing a bachelor's degree with expected graduation in the winter or spring/summer following the internship; maintaining a minimum 3.2 GPA; experience with Python or SQL; exposure to UI development or UI framework; strong analytical skills
As an IT AI Innovation Summer Intern at Trustmark, you will dive into critical tech topics like AI/ML automation, UI frameworks, and cloud engineering across Azure, AWS, or GCP. Your core activities will include developing one-page case studies for applications like ServiceNow, assessing IT challenges to propose AI experiments, designing functional proof-of-concept prototypes, and collaborating with internal teams to pinpoint specific automation opportunities. A unique feature of this internship is its direct application of emerging technologies to real-world IT service delivery, all supported by an accelerated four-and-a-half-day work week. Through these hands-on projects, you will significantly advance your programming capabilities in both Python and SQL.
4. Littelfuse – AI Engineering Internship (LLMs & RAG Systems)
Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective; small cohort sizes
Dates: Typically a 10–12 week program, approximately June – August
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, AI/ML, or Engineering. Preference is given to rising juniors, seniors, or recent graduates
In this role, you work extensively with large language models (LLMs) and develop Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pipelines, gaining hands-on exposure to cutting-edge AI architectures. You collaborate with engineering, product, and IT teams to design solutions that integrate AI into real business workflows. A key highlight of this internship is its emphasis on production-level AI development. You contribute to end-to-end systems, including data ingestion, embedding generation, vector databases, and retrieval pipelines, while also evaluating model performance and mitigating issues like hallucinations. The internship includes a capstone project that you can showcase in your portfolio, along with opportunities to conduct experiments and document insights.
5. Chamberlain Group – Intern - AI/ML Software Engineer
Location: Oak Brook, IL
Stipend: $32 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: Late May to August
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field at an accredited college or university; exposure to Generative AI concepts and AI-assisted coding workflows; coursework or hands-on experience in at least one programming language like Python, JavaScript, or TypeScript; authorization to work in the U.S. without requiring employment sponsorship now or in the future
In this internship, you will build intelligent applications that directly integrate into their myQ smart access ecosystem. Throughout the program, you will explore topics like Generative AI, large language models, and middleware services. Your main activities will include developing AI-driven features such as intelligent assistants, analyzing technical requirements alongside senior architects, and participating in Agile Scrum meetings. You will also engage in exclusive networking events, Q&A sessions with company leaders, and one-on-one mentorship. Ultimately, you will learn how to write scalable code in Python or TypeScript, apply AI coding assistants, and solve complex enterprise engineering problems.
6. Center for Digital Agriculture (CDA) REU – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
Stipend: $7,000 stipend; housing, travel, and one meal/day covered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort
Dates: May 26 – August 1 (tentatively)
Application Deadline: Typically early spring
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in STEM-related majors; must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The CDA REU program at UIUC is a 10-week, fully funded research experience focused on applying artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to agriculture and biological systems. You work closely with faculty and researchers from leading initiatives such as AIFARMS and CROPPS, contributing to interdisciplinary projects that integrate AI, machine learning, robotics, and data science. The program includes a dedicated AI Foundry short course and hackathon, along with professional development workshops and site visits to farms, companies, and research institutions. Throughout the program, you gain hands-on experience conducting research, analyzing complex datasets, and developing solutions for real-world challenges like crop health, environmental resilience, and precision agriculture. You also build strong scientific communication skills by presenting your work at a formal symposium.
7. Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) – Illinois Space Grant Consortium
Location: Urbana-Champaign, IL
Stipend: $7,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective; ~25–30 students
Dates: May 18 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; current undergraduates (freshmen through non-graduating seniors); preferred completion of 48 credit hours; backgrounds in computation, agriculture, or biosystems
In this program, you work closely with faculty and graduate mentors on NASA-related projects across fields such as aerospace engineering, materials science, and biological systems. The program combines full-time research with weekly seminars on topics like research ethics, technical writing, and scientific presentation. Throughout the internship, you actively contribute to a research project, develop analytical and problem-solving skills, and gain exposure to real-world scientific challenges. Depending on the project you choose, you may work with data-driven modeling, simulation tools, or computational methods relevant to artificial intelligence and machine learning. The program concludes with a formal research symposium where you present your findings.
8. Aon Early Careers – AI Prompt Engineer Intern
Location: Chicago and Bannockburn, Illinois
Stipend: $25.50 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies
Dates: 10 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Pursuing a bachelor's degree program; possessing a basic understanding of how large language models work; demonstrating prior exposure to at least one LLM platform or API; exhibiting the ability to read technical documentation and quickly translate it into working prototypes; maintaining proficiency in Python for scripting and data processing; showing familiarity with Retrieval-Augmented Generation concepts and unstructured text data
In the Aon Early Careers AI Prompt Engineer Internship, you will explore the practical applications of artificial intelligence, focusing heavily on document intake, intelligent agent development, and unstructured text processing. During the program, you will design AI-powered solutions, extract and process unstructured data from PDFs and emails, call Large Language Models (LLMs) programmatically, and build functional prototypes. A unique feature of this role is its emphasis on applying AI to real-world commercial operations within Aon's massive global infrastructure, all while receiving dedicated one-on-one mentoring. Ultimately, you will learn highly valuable technical skills in Python scripting, prompt engineering, LLM API integration, and advanced data processing.
9. FoDOMMaT REU (Future of Discovery: Machine Learning)
Location: Urbana-Champaign, IL
Stipend: $700 per week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~10 students
Dates: May 27 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 25
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents; currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program (Associate or Baccalaureate); good academic standing; basic Python programming experience and some exposure to ML (coursework or self-study); must be at least 18 years old by the start date
This highly selective, 10-week research experience is focused on machine learning and deep learning applications. The program begins with an intensive training week where you learn core ML/DL concepts, tools, and software development practices, followed by nine weeks of hands-on research under the guidance of interdisciplinary mentors. You work on cutting-edge projects that apply AI techniques to real scientific problems, often contributing to the development of open-source models and tools. Throughout the program, you gain experience using advanced computing infrastructure, collaborate with researchers, and participate in seminars led by experts from academia and industry. The program emphasizes both technical skill-building and scientific communication, culminating in a final research presentation.
10. Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) – U.S. Department of Energy
Location: Argonne National Laboratory (Lemont, IL) & Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Batavia, IL)
Stipend: $650 per week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 60–100 interns per term
Dates: Summer (May–August) or semester-based sessions
Application Deadline: Varies by term (Summer typically January; Fall: May)
Eligibility: Must be 18+ years old; U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents; GPA of 3.0 or higher; currently enrolled full-time undergraduate or a recent graduate (within 2 years)
The Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, offers undergraduates the opportunity to conduct research at leading national laboratories such as Argonne in Illinois. During this program, you work under the mentorship of experienced scientists and engineers on projects that contribute to real-world scientific and technological advancements. Research areas span a wide range of disciplines, including computational science, data analysis, and machine learning applications within energy, physics, and environmental systems. You gain hands-on experience using advanced laboratory facilities, high-performance computing systems, and specialized instruments that are not typically accessible in a university setting.
11. James Hardie – IT Intern, AI Developer
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Stipend: $22 - $25 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies
Dates: 12 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Enrolled in a bachelor's program in a relevant discipline such as computer science, data science, engineering, or a related field at an accredited university; anticipating a graduation date between December and May (+2 years) as a rising junior or rising senior; minimum 3.0 GPA; familiarity with Python, R, or similar programming languages; strong understanding of machine learning concepts and tools such as TensorFlow or PyTorch legal authorization to work in the U.S.
As an IT AI Developer intern at James Hardie, you will focus on applying artificial intelligence to uncover patterns and improve product quality in a real-world manufacturing environment. During this 12-week program, you will cover topics spanning machine learning, large-scale data analysis, chatbot development, and data visualization. Your hands-on activities will include cleaning production datasets, applying ML models to identify anomalies, testing new AI chatbot features, and building interactive dashboards to present your findings. A unique feature of this role is its direct integration of modern AI practices into a traditional building materials company, complete with exclusive professional mentorship.
12. Here – Data Science Intern
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Stipend: $25 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies
Dates: Summer; typically running from June through August
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Pursuing an undergraduate degree; basic knowledge of machine learning, data mining, and analytic methods such as regression, classifiers, clustering, graphical models, graph neural networks, and GenAI; programming experience with Python, C++, JavaScript, SQL, Scala, Julia, or R; knowledge of developing with AWS EMR, EC2, S3, or Lambda; experience working on GNSS probe sensor data and computer vision data
In this internship, you will explore the world of location data and digital map-making. The role covers topics like machine learning, geospatial analysis, big data infrastructure, and statistical modeling using Python and SQL. In your day-to-day, you will conduct exploratory analysis on sensor data, build proof-of-concept ML models, and support the translation of models into production code. A unique feature is working on real-world routing and traffic logic used by millions of drivers globally. You will gain professional skills in data mining, algorithm optimization, and deploying scalable AI solutions within AWS environments.
13. Lenovo – AI Research & Software Engineering Internships
Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: $30–$38 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective; global class of 200–300 interns annually across all departments
Dates: Summer (typically, 10–12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (typically juniors or seniors) pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or related engineering fields; minimum 3.0 GPA; proficiency in Python, C++, or Java
Lenovo’s AI internship opportunities within its Qira team provide hands-on experience working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, product development, and user experience. Depending on the role, you may focus on AI research, exploring technologies like large language models, multimodal systems, and AI agents, or on software engineering, where you build and optimize AI-powered applications across Windows and mobile platforms. You collaborate with cross-functional teams in engineering, product, and design to prototype features, evaluate AI tools, and develop scalable systems that bring AI capabilities directly to users. Interns gain exposure to modern AI frameworks, participate in experimentation and product development cycles, and contribute to real-world AI solutions.
14. Ashling Partners – AI/ML Internship in Intelligent Automation
Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Competitive; typically 5–15 interns per cycle
Dates: Summer Cycle (approximately 10–12 weeks, typically June – August)
Application Deadline: Late Spring (Rolling)
Eligibility: Undergraduates (typically rising Juniors/Seniors) or Graduate students pursuing degrees in Computer Science, Data Science, AI, or Engineering
In this internship, you will explore the core of Intelligent Automation, focusing on machine learning, computer vision, and robotic process automation. Your daily activities include building automated workflows, developing models for intelligent document processing, and assisting in process discovery for enterprise clients. The program emphasizes hyperautomation, teaching you to combine various AI tools to solve complex business problems. You also gain rare exposure to the Modern Robotic Operations Center, seeing firsthand how large-scale automation is maintained. Through this role, you will sharpen your skills in Python, SQL, and strategic process analysis. You’ll leave with the ability to bridge the gap between AI theory and real-world operational efficiency.
15. Sharp Electronics – Project Management/AI and Software Solutions Intern
Location: Downers Grove, IL (Hybrid)
Stipend: $20 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Competitive; typically <10 interns for specialized technical tracks
Dates: June (start date: June 1)
Application Deadline: May 14
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with skills in Python, SQL, and AI frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow); must have reliable transportation and US work authorization
This internship at Sharp Electronics offers a hybrid role combining AI applications with project management and product development. It focuses on the deployment of generative and predictive AI applications within their Solutions Marketing division. You will support AI solution proof-of-concept initiatives, working with technologies such as generative AI, predictive analytics, and object detection systems. During the internship, you will test and evaluate AI tools, analyze competitive solutions, and contribute to real-world deployment strategies across different industry verticals. You will also collaborate with cross-functional teams, track project progress, and help translate technical insights into actionable outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. There are four different university or national lab research programs on this list (CDA REU, UROP, FoDOMMaT, SULI). How do I choose between them?
Each has a distinct focus area. The CDA REU at UIUC is specifically about applying AI to agriculture and biological systems, working with initiatives like AIFARMS and CROPPS. UROP through the Illinois Space Grant Consortium centers on NASA-related aerospace and biosystems projects. FoDOMMaT is the most purely machine learning and deep learning focused, with an intensive training week before research begins. SULI, run through the Department of Energy at Argonne and Fermilab, offers the broadest range of research areas, spanning computational science, physics, and environmental systems, and gives you access to national laboratory facilities not typically available at a university. If you have a clear subject interest like agriculture or aerospace, choose accordingly; if you want the widest range of placement options, SULI is the most flexible.
2. Several corporate roles, like Littelfuse and Aon, focus heavily on LLMs and RAG systems specifically. Do I need prior experience with these exact technologies to apply?
Not necessarily prior production experience, but some foundational exposure helps. Aon's Prompt Engineer role explicitly asks for a basic understanding of how large language models work and prior exposure to at least one LLM platform or API, which could come from personal projects or coursework rather than a job. Littelfuse's role is more advanced, expecting hands-on familiarity with building RAG pipelines, embedding generation, and vector databases, making it better suited to students who have already experimented with these concepts independently or through a prior internship. If you're newer to LLM-specific work, Aon's listed prerequisites are the more achievable starting point between the two.
3. The pay range across the corporate internships on this list varies from $19 to $38 per hour. What tends to explain the difference?
Pay generally scales with how specialized and production-critical the AI work is. Lenovo's $30 to $38 per hour range reflects work on cutting-edge AI research and product development within a large global tech company. Chamberlain Group ($32 per hour) similarly involves building production AI features for a smart home ecosystem. On the lower end, Trustmark ($19.36 to $27.97 per hour) and Sharp Electronics ($20 per hour) involve more applied proof-of-concept and exploratory AI work rather than building and shipping production systems at scale, which typically correlates with somewhat lower compensation.
Key Takeaways
This list covers 15 AI internships for undergraduates in Illinois, split between corporate roles concentrated in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs (Lenovo, Chamberlain Group, Littelfuse, James Hardie) and four distinct research programs based at UIUC, Argonne, and Fermilab (CDA REU, UROP, FoDOMMaT, SULI), each with a different subject focus ranging from agriculture to aerospace to pure machine learning research. Corporate pay ranges from $19 to $38 per hour depending on how specialized and production-focused the AI work is, while the research programs offer either a flat stipend around $7,000 or a weekly rate near $650 to $700, generally working out to comparable total compensation across a ten-week program. For students who want flexibility without Illinois residency or a fixed technical prerequisite, Ladder Internships remains the most accessible option on this list, matching students with startups and nonprofits on real AI and business projects without the GPA or citizenship requirements common across the corporate and federal research roles.