15 AI Internships for Undergraduates in Indiana
If you’re interested in artificial intelligence, internships will allow you to move beyond theory and learn how AI is applied in real-world settings, from data analysis to machine learning models. You’ll learn to solve everyday problems with tech, and also get a better sense of what kind of roles you might want to pursue later. If you are looking for opportunities in Indiana, there are options across universities and industry, including AI research internships, roles in machine learning and data analysis, and applied AI work in areas like healthcare, energy, and agriculture.
You can check out other AI internships available for undergraduates in our blog here!
Why should I do an artificial intelligence internship in college?
Doing an AI internship during college can help you build skills you’ll actually use, like coding, data analysis, and logical thinking. It will also give you hands-on experience, strengthening your resume when you apply for jobs or higher education. You’ll get to work on real projects like evaluating AI models, analyzing datasets, or building small applications, which will help you understand how the field works. You’ll get a chance to work with professionals, understand industry expectations, and start building a network. Such experiences will make you more confident and job-ready. Additionally, the connections you build during internships can lead to future opportunities, making it easier for you to land full-time roles after graduation.
To make your search easier, we have listed below 15 AI internships for undergraduates in Indiana worth exploring.
1. Indiana University STEM Summer Scholars Institute (STEM SSI)
Location: Indiana University Bloomington (IUB) and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), IN
Stipend: Up to $4,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 20–35 students
Dates: June 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: Undergraduate rising juniors and seniors at a Minority Serving Institution like an HBCU, TCU, or HSI, or international students enrolled at a U.S. college, who have a minimum GPA of 3.0
In this program, you’ll spend most of your time in IU faculty labs, learning techniques, attending lab meetings, and tackling real research problems under faculty mentorship. The program covers STEM fields like computer science, informatics, and computer engineering, with opportunities to work on AI-focused projects such as low-power hardware for machine learning, geospatial AI, computer vision, or human-robot interaction in the R-House Lab. You’ll attend seminars on research presentation and GRE prep, join the closing poster session, and receive a graduate school application fee waiver. You’ll also gain access to IU’s AI resources, including the Luddy Center for Artificial Intelligence.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25%; 70–100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts run throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Undergraduates and gap year students who can work for 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder University Internship Program is a selective virtual program where you’ll work with startups and nonprofits across different industries. You’ll complete smaller tasks, build a personal project related to the organization’s goals, and present your work at the end. You’ll be guided by a startup manager, a Ladder coach, and a company mentor as you work on real projects. You can explore fields like tech, finance, consulting, media, and more, including data science and AI-focused roles. In AI and machine learning tracks, you might build ML models, clean and analyze data, and test AI systems. The program will help you gain real experience and develop both technical and professional skills. Apply now!
3. iTREDS Internship (RADIANT) & Capstone Experience
Location: Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society, Notre Dame, IN
Stipend: $8,000; Undergraduate seniors in the Capstone Experience earn $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 15 students
Dates: Internship: June – July (8 weeks). Capstone: Spans the Junior and Senior academic years
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: Sophomores at Notre Dame or Saint Mary’s College in data-related majors (e.g., Computer Science, ACMS, Math, Statistics)
iTREDS offers undergraduate sophomores an opportunity to participate in a summer internship and a capstone project on data science, ethics, and social responsibility. You’ll take part in a teaching internship, get real experience, and build skills in data analytics, visualization, and mentoring. You’ll conduct workshops on coding, analytics, and data ethics, as well as guide high school students on projects. As you move into senior year, you’ll develop and complete a capstone project with faculty and external partners, applying data science and AI to real problems. You’ll present your work at the RISE AI Conference and a final showcase, and submit a thesis related to your capstone project.
4. Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society Experiential Learning Projects — Analysis of Customer Behavior in Banking
Location: Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society, Notre Dame, IN
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically 4–6 students per project cohort
Dates: Offered in the fall and spring semesters
Application Deadline: April 13 (Fall); November 17 (Spring); you can check the other important dates here
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students at Notre Dame or St. Mary’s who are majoring in or have strong coursework in computer science, applied math, engineering, or statistics, and have some experience with Python or R
STRAND (Student Research @ Notre Dame) gives undergraduate students structured access to research projects with mentors such as professors, graduate students, and postdocs. You can apply to up to three projects. In the banking customer behavior project, you’ll work with a local bank and a data scientist to analyze deidentified transaction data and study customer trends using demographic factors. Projects may include analyzing spending patterns, modeling customer behavior, and using machine learning for tasks like churn prediction and segmentation. The project offers 2 credits and requires about 6 hours per week. This experience will also help you boost your AI and data science skills by working with large datasets.
5. Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) Data Crossings
Location: Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society, Notre Dame, IN
Stipend: $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 19 students
Dates: Academic Year-long (Fall through Spring semesters)
Application Deadline: July 31 or until all slots are filled
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Notre Dame or Saint Mary’s College majoring in the humanities, arts, languages, or social sciences; adults from the broader Indiana community, including working professionals, career changers, and others interested in applied learning in data science and AI
ExLENT Data Crossings is a year-long NSF-funded program focused on data science and artificial intelligence. You’ll learn alongside university students and adult learners. You’ll take the Introduction to Data Science and AI course, in which you’ll learn about design thinking, data literacy, and decision-making without any coding. You’ll work with faculty and industry partners. You’ll participate in workshops, studios, and capstone projects to develop technical skills like communication and teamwork. You’ll also work in small groups on real-world challenges, join skill-building sessions, and complete team projects presented to professionals. Opportunities may include internships or fellowships, helping you connect data science and AI learning to real careers.
6. Software Engineer Internship at Toddfather and AB Solutions LLC
Location: Hybrid; Toddfather and AB Solutions LLC, Indianapolis, IN
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort sizes
Dates: Semester-based
Application Deadline: Rolling (Previous cycles: September 30 for Fall; April 1 for Spring/Summer)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students pursuing degrees in computer science, software engineering, web development, or related fields who are familiar with Git and GitHub, basic deployment processes, responsive design, and SEO practices
In this internship, you’ll build full-stack websites for early-stage startups in areas like insurance, staffing, and medical logistics. You’ll work with platforms like Lovable, Supabase, and GitHub. You’ll handle testing, deployment, SEO, and integrations such as payments or maps, as well as help with backend tasks and updates. You’ll design responsive sites using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks. You’ll add features like forms, scheduling tools, and basic authentication to the websites. You’ll also use artificial intelligence tools to write and improve code, build AI agents, and work with large language model APIs and automation platforms. This will help you gain hands-on experience with both web development and AI systems.
7. IU Center of Excellence for Women & Technology Ethical AI Lead Intern
Location: Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Stipend: $16 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective; 4–6 total interns
Dates: Runs during the academic year; August 28 – April 25
Application Deadline: Open until the position is filled
Eligibility: IU Bloomington Students; must be a currently enrolled female student; Lead roles often require previous leadership or specific technical expertise
The Ethical AI Team focuses on helping you explore and apply artificial intelligence in a supportive, collaborative environment, as well as emphasizing fairness, transparency, and social impact. As the lead intern, you’ll build and guide a group of undergraduate and graduate women interested in ethical AI, with help from a faculty mentor. You’ll learn about AI trends, lead discussions, and teach your peers. You’ll organize events, workshops, and speaker sessions, develop a yearly strategy, and supervise two interns. You’ll also monitor their progress, share updates, and attend training and team meetings. These activities will help you improve both your understanding of AI and your leadership, communication, and project management skills.
8. City of Fort Wayne City Utilities — Computer Science Internship
Location: City Utilities headquarters, Fort Wayne, IN
Stipend: $17–22 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically 1–3 interns per specific IT/Engineering department
Dates: Summer: May – August (10–12 weeks); Fall/Spring: Flexible schedules aligned with academic semesters
Application Deadline: Summer: Late March (Priority window; some roles remain "Open Until Filled"); Fall/Spring: Typically 2–3 months prior to the term start
Eligibility: Students pursuing a B.S. in computer science, electrical engineering, or electrical engineering technology who have completed at least two years of college; familiarity with artificial intelligence concepts, basic programming experience; experience with databases, Excel, or other data analysis tools; pass a background check, drug screen, and physical exam
The City of Fort Wayne’s City Utilities offers a Computer Science Internship, which allows you to work on coding, data analysis, and AI projects to support real-world utility systems. You’ll develop and test AI and automation solutions to improve workflows, assist with databases and scripting, and contribute to pilot projects. You’ll also document your findings, complete training modules, and work with engineers. You’ll help collect and verify field data, analyze network and instrumentation information, and prepare reports for planning and design projects. This internship will help you gain experience with AI concepts such as large language models, AI assistants, agents, and prompt design, and apply data-driven methods to improve operations.
9. Purdue University Department of Computer Science Research Internships — Pedro Fonseca
Location: Reliable and Secure Systems Lab, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Stipend: $6,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 1–3 students
Dates: Late May – Early August
Application Deadline: Mid-January
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in a degree-granting program; minimum 2.8/4.0 GPA; must have completed at least one academic semester; first-time SURF participants only
The Reliable and Secure Systems Lab gives undergraduates a chance to work on research in systems programming and security. You’ll work with faculty and graduate mentors and take part in daily lab activities and research projects. Topics include system testing, distributed and serverless computing, secure remote systems, failure diagnosis, and system hardening. The lab will also help you learn about artificial intelligence by working on machine-learning-driven testing, bug detection, and frameworks for end-to-end ML workflows. You may get to apply AI methods to improve system performance or automate analysis. More information about past projects conducted at the lab can be found here.
10. Internships at Lilly — Technology Internships
Location: Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 1,500+ interns globally across all functions
Dates: Summer Cohort (Main): 10–12 weeks, typically running from late May through August
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Currently enrolled undergraduates in an accredited degree program (BS, MS, MBA, or PhD); target majors include Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, Information Technology, and related STEM fields; generally have at least one semester of school remaining after the internship
At Lilly Corporate Center, you’ll take part in a 10 to 12-week internship where you’ll work on real business problems across areas like data and analytics, technology, engineering, and more. If you’re interested in AI, technology internships will help you build and test solutions that support business and patient needs. You may work on artificial intelligence projects such as developing AI agents, building machine learning models, and exploring areas like natural language processing and computer vision. The job may include research, proof-of-concept work, and validation of new ideas. You’ll gain experience with tools like Python and Azure, work with mentors, and use advanced systems for data and AI-driven innovation.
11. Information Systems Tech Internship at Noble County Government
Location: Noble County Government, Albion, IN
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; likely 1–2 interns
Dates: The internship starts on May 11
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: Full-time students at an Indiana college or university who have basic PC knowledge, including operating system configuration, networking fundamentals, hardware identification, and troubleshooting; applicants must also be comfortable using standard desktop applications like Word and Excel, have some familiarity with database applications and reporting, and demonstrate good communication skills
The Noble County IT Department in Albion offers a paid seasonal internship where you’ll assist local government systems as part of the IT team. You’ll help set up and configure workstations and manage networks and servers. You’ll document systems, help with disaster recovery, and work on solutions for new projects. You’ll also troubleshoot hardware and software issues and provide basic helpdesk support. Work is on-site during regular hours with occasional evenings or weekends, up to 40 hours per week depending on tasks. The job may involve exposure to government-use artificial intelligence tools, including automation platforms and generative AI systems. You might also work with data and learn about privacy and security practices important for AI use.
12. Information Technology Internship at First Financial Bank
Location: First Financial Bank, Terre Haute, IN
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 1–3 inters per cycle
Dates: The internship starts on May 11
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: Students pursuing a degree in information technology, computer science, or a related field who have basic knowledge of operating systems, networking, and cybersecurity
First Financial Bank allows students to work on a team that helps with daily IT operations. You’ll help troubleshoot hardware and software issues, respond to support tickets, and help employees with their work. You’ll help set up devices, maintain inventory, record different processes, and help with upgrades or testing. You’ll also assist with installing and updating applications, setting up accounts, and managing access using tools like Active Directory and Office 365. The bank uses an AI assistant called Gabby to handle customer queries, and you may help keep related systems running or assist with updates. This program will give you exposure to how artificial intelligence supports banking, including security monitoring and system improvements.
13. Purdue University’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF)
Location: Purdue University, West Lafayette or Indianapolis campus, IN
Stipend: $6,500; non-Purdue students also get a $2,500 housing allowance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 150 to 200+ students
Dates: May 25 – 31 (remote) | June 1 – July 31 (in-person)
Application Deadline: January 15, with rolling admissions continuing afterward
Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor’s degree who have a minimum GPA of 2.8, are first-time participants, have completed at least one academic term before applying, and will remain enrolled for at least one term after the program ends; first-time participants
In this program, you’ll work on projects in science, engineering, and technology, and use advanced tools and resources. You’ll attend workshops, seminars, and networking events to help you build your technical and communication skills. If you’re interested in artificial intelligence, you can work on projects like machine learning models, AI control systems, or generative AI applications. The work may include using advanced resources like NVIDIA Jetson Nano kits or Purdue’s Negishi CPU clusters. You can also work on projects that apply artificial intelligence across fields, such as using generative AI in healthcare supply chains or applying machine learning to cardiovascular image analysis.
14. Software Development Internship at Ruoff Mortgage
Location: Ruoff Mortgage, Fort Wayne, IN
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 10–20 interns across all departments
Dates: The internship starts on May 20 for 11 weeks
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Must be enrolled in an Indiana college or university; pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, or a related field; legally authorized to work in the U.S.; proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook); familiarity with C#, .NET, JavaScript, or SQL is highly preferred for development roles
Ruoff Mortgage offers a software development internship where you’ll help the IT web development team and contribute to company projects. You’ll work with .NET C# to build APIs and use SQL Server to create stored procedures, as well as collaborate with project engineers, managers, and designers in an Agile setup. Your job involves troubleshooting issues, recording improvements, and helping deploy and maintain important systems. Ruoff uses artificial intelligence tools like personalized video messaging and mortgage automation, giving insight into how AI is used in finance. By working with structured data systems, you’ll also study how data supports machine learning and AI applications.
15. Summer Internship at DHAKMA IO
Location: DHAKMA IO, West Lafayette, IN
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small cohort sizes
Dates: Flexible schedule; both summer and part-time opportunities are available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with experience building hardware projects using tools like Pi, Jetson, Arduino, or CUDA can apply, with preference given to U.S. students; check the specific prerequisites here
DHAKMA IO allows students to work on real artificial intelligence systems built for deployment, like computer vision, robotics, autonomous systems, and LLM-based applications. This internship is for students who have experience using tools such as Arduino, Jetson, Raspberry Pi, or CUDA. You’ll help build and test systems, like drone detection and tracking pipelines, that run on edge devices in real-world environments. You’ll develop autonomous guidance systems, visual inspection tools, and GPU-based compute workflows. You’ll gain experience with shader programming, simulation, and real-time rendering. You’ll also work on deploying and optimizing LLMs on local hardware using techniques like quantization and retrieval pipelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Some of these listings, like Noble County Government and First Financial Bank, look like general IT roles. What kind of AI exposure will I actually get?
These are a great fit if you want to see how AI gets used inside real organizations rather than just building it from scratch. At First Financial Bank, you'll be working alongside Gabby, the bank's AI assistant, getting a front-row seat to how financial institutions deploy AI for customer service and security monitoring, which is valuable context if you're interested in fintech or AI governance. At Noble County Government, you'll be exposed to government-use AI tools, including automation platforms and generative AI systems, giving you a practical understanding of how the public sector is adopting these technologies, plus hands-on experience with the data privacy and security practices that come with deploying AI responsibly. City Utilities in Fort Wayne goes a step further, having you actually develop and test AI and automation solutions for utility workflows, so you walk away having contributed to a live pilot project. If you want deeper, build-from-scratch AI development experience, pair one of these with a more research-intensive program like Lilly or Purdue's SURF, but don't underestimate how valuable it is to see AI deployed in production environments that most students never get exposure to.
2. Several Notre Dame programs (iTREDS, STRAND, ExLENT) appear on this list. How do I know which one fits my background?
Each targets a different stage and background. iTREDS is specifically for sophomores and combines a summer teaching internship with a multi-year capstone project, making it a longer-term commitment best suited to students who want sustained involvement in data science and AI ethics throughout their degree. STRAND is a single-semester research placement open to students with some Python or R experience, offering more flexibility since you can apply to up to three different projects. ExLENT Data Crossings is the most unusual of the three, since it's specifically designed for humanities, arts, and social science majors, plus adult learners from the broader Indiana community, and requires no coding background at all, making it the most accessible entry point if you're coming from a non-technical major.
3. DHAKMA IO requires experience with hardware tools like Jetson, Arduino, or CUDA. What if I don't have that background yet?
DHAKMA IO is genuinely one of the more specialized and hardware-focused roles on this list, working on edge AI deployment, drone systems, and real-time rendering, so it does expect some prior hands-on experience with these tools rather than teaching them from scratch. If you don't yet have this background but are interested in applied, hardware-adjacent AI work, Indiana University's STEM Summer Scholars Institute offers exposure to similar topics, including low-power hardware for machine learning and computer vision, in a more structured, mentorship-heavy research environment that doesn't assume prior hardware experience walking in.
Key Takeaways
This list covers 15 AI internships for undergraduates in Indiana, ranging from highly specialized hardware and edge AI work at DHAKMA IO to university research programs at Indiana University, Purdue, and Notre Dame, alongside corporate and government roles where you'll see AI deployed in real operational settings, from a bank's customer-facing AI assistant at First Financial Bank to utility automation pilots at City of Fort Wayne. The strongest stipends belong to research-focused programs, with iTREDS at Notre Dame offering $8,000 and both Purdue SURF and the Reliable and Secure Systems Lab offering $6,500, while several local government and bank roles offer steady hourly pay in the $16 to $22 range alongside genuinely rare access to how AI operates inside public sector and financial institutions. Whether you want to build AI systems hands-on or understand how organizations actually deploy and govern them, this list has strong options across both ends of that spectrum.