15 AI Internships for Undergraduates in Iowa

For students interested in AI, internships are especially valuable because they provide hands-on exposure to tools, datasets, and real-world problem-solving scenarios that are difficult to replicate in a traditional academic environment. Recognizing this, we’ve carefully narrowed down a list of the best AI internships for undergraduates in Iowa, focusing on opportunities that combine mentorship, technical skill-building, and meaningful project work.

Why should I do an AI internship in college?

An AI internship during college can significantly boost employability by demonstrating applied experience in a highly competitive and rapidly growing field. You gain technical proficiency in areas like machine learning, data analysis, and programming, while also developing soft skills such as teamwork and communication. Working on real AI projects helps you build a strong portfolio that can set you apart in job applications or graduate school admissions. Ultimately, an AI internship bridges the gap between theory and practice, giving you a tangible advantage as you enter the workforce.

Here’s a list of 15 AI Internships for Undergraduates in Iowa curated based on the overall quality of experience, location & eligibility of these programs!

Check out other AI internships available for undergraduates here.

1. REU‑TrACE — Translational AI Center, Iowa State University

Location: Translational AI Center (TrAC), Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Stipend: $7,000 for the 10‑week program; on‑campus housing and travel support may be available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Cohort size is limited; exact acceptance rate is unspecified

Application Deadline: March 13

Dates: May 26   –   July 31

Eligibility: At least 18 years old undergraduate students in engineering, computer science, or related fields; must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.​

In this AI internship for undergraduates in Iowa, you’ll work on interdisciplinary AI research projects in engineering domains, mentored by faculty and research staff at Iowa State’s Translational AI Center. The program treats you as a research contributor, with expectations to help define, design, and implement a small‑scale AI‑driven project and then present your findings at a campus symposium. You get an opportunity to build skills in ethical research conduct, collaborative problem‑solving, and technical communication, oriented toward graduate‑school preparation. Toward the end, the program success is highlighted at a campus symposium attended by students, pers, faculty, research scientists, and industry professionals.

2. Ladder University Internship Program

Location: Remote (you can work from anywhere in the world).

Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program; financial aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Application Deadline: Varies by cohort . Spring (January), summer (May), fall (September), and winter (November)

Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year

Eligibility: Undergraduates and gap year students who can work for 8–12 weeks, devoting 10–20 hours/week

The Ladder University Internship Program gives an opportunity where you collaborate with startups and nonprofits across different industries, including software engineering, technology, and AI/ML. During the program, you contribute to a project that addresses an actual need within the organization you’re assigned to. You also present your work at the end of the internship, summarizing your approach and outcomes. 

Throughout the experience, you work with a manager and a Ladder coach who provides guidance and feedback on your tasks. This structure allows you to build experience in problem-solving and executing projects in a professional setting.

3. AI‑Related Undergraduate Research Internships — Iowa State University (College of Engineering)

Location: Iowa State University, Ames, IA (various engineering departments)

Cost/Stipend: Varies by program; some internships are paid; others are credit‑bearing

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by department

Application Deadline: Departmental paperwork deadlines: Summer   –  April 22, Fall   –   April 22, Spring   –   December 3 

Dates: Aligned with the academic year; summer internships typically mid‑May to mid‑August

Eligibility: Must be a sophomore with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 or a junior (60 credits) or senior (90 credits) in good academic standing (not on academic probation)

These placements include AI‑adjacent work such as data‑driven automation, robotics control, or modeling in agricultural or industrial systems. You would register the internship for academic credit (or take it as a paid position) and complete required documentation and reflections. The work is department‑specific, so you may end up developing or deploying AI‑infused tools in a lab, manufacturing setting, or research project.

4. Part‑Time Student —Quality Engineering—John Deere, Ames, IA (JD Intelligent Solutions Group)

Location: John Deere, Ames, IA, Iowa, United States (also lists other locations based on the position)​

Stipend: $15–$40 per hour, depending on education level and business function

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified

Application Deadline: Rolling

Dates: Year‑round, part‑time work that runs in parallel with the school schedule 

Eligibility: Must be a full‑time student at a U.S.‑accredited college pursuing ​Agriculture, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Data Science, Engineering, Math, Operations Research, or Statistics with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or above.​

During this internship for undergraduates in Iowa, you’ll work within John Deere’s Intelligent Solutions Group (ISG) in Ames, IA, performing data‑science and analytics tasks for advanced automation and sensing projects in agriculture and machinery. Your responsibilities include cleaning and preprocessing data, exploring patterns, and building models that support AI‑driven automation and decision‑making. You’ll also present findings to stakeholders and translate them into written reports and visualizations. The coursework with built-in projects helps deepen your skills in Python, machine learning, and data‑visualization tools while operating in a cross‑disciplinary engineering environment. The role is structured as a part‑time, year‑round position.

5. AI‑Driven Software Development Intern — Telligen, Ankeny, IA

Location: Telligen, Ankeny, IA

Cost/Stipend: Paid hourly; estimated range listed as roughly $18–23.75 per hour

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified

Application Deadline: Deadline not itemized (likely rolling or set by internal HR)

Dates: Not specified

Eligibility: Undergraduate students in computer science or related fields; likely Iowa‑based university enrollment

You would work on software projects that incorporate AI‑driven decision support, such as clinical‑quality analytics or risk‑prediction tools, under the guidance of engineering staff. Your role is to help refine algorithms, test outputs, and integrate model logic into user‑facing applications rather than to conduct basic research. You are expected to learn clinical‑data workflows and to translate requirements into maintainable code within a healthcare‑focused IT environment.

6. FAST‑TrAC Student Assistantship — Translational AI Center, Iowa State University

Location: Translational AI Center (TrAC), Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Cost/Stipend: Paid 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified​

Application Deadline: Rolling or set by department; not itemized on the opportunities page.​

Dates: Academic‑year or term‑based; intended to run alongside coursework.​

Eligibility: Undergraduate students at Iowa State or partner institutions; must be able to contribute to AI‑related projects in engineering or applied domains.​

You would work as a student assistant on applied AI projects developed through the Translational AI Center, supporting research that bridges AI techniques with concrete engineering or industry problems. The role is structured as a part‑time assistantship, so you would balance classes with project work under faculty and research‑staff supervision. You are expected to contribute to software development, data analysis, or algorithm implementation and to participate in project‑level documentation and reporting.

7.  Corteva Agriscience Internships

Location: Corteva Agriscience, Johnston, IA (listed on the Technology Iowa internship portal, which aggregates Iowa‑based corporate internships)​ or other locations based on opportunity

Cost/Stipend: Paid; described as a 3‑month internship with standard corporate compensation

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified

Application Deadline: Summer‑cycle opening; not itemized but typically aligned with spring‑semester recruiting

Dates: Approximately 3 months, summer‑spanning (e.g., mid‑May to mid‑August pattern)

Eligibility: Undergraduate students in information technology, computer science, or related fields; must be able to work onsite in Johnston, IA, or Indianapolis, IN

This internship program at Corteva offers Iowa undergraduates practical exposure to the agriculture industry while allowing them to explore potential career paths within a large agriscience organization. Interns gain hands-on experience, develop relevant technical and professional skills, and build industry connections. 

For students interested in AI, the experience may be relevant through applications such as data analysis, precision agriculture, and technology-driven decision-making, though the extent of direct AI involvement likely depends on the specific role. The program reflects Corteva’s focus on agricultural innovation and supporting long-term farm sustainability.

8. Principal Financial Group Internships— Data and Analytics Track

Location: Multiple locations in Iowa

Cost/Stipend: Paid (amount unspecified)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified

Application Deadline: Mid to late August

Dates: Unspecified

Eligibility: Undergraduate students in relevant fields such as computer science, data science, or related disciplines

In this internship, you work on projects related to data science, analytics, and machine learning within a financial services environment. Your tasks may include analyzing datasets, building models, or supporting internal tools that rely on AI or automation. 

You receive guidance from experienced team members. The program also includes opportunities to learn about how data-driven decisions are made in finance. By the end, you gain exposure to how AI is applied in a corporate setting. This experience helps you understand practical applications of AI in business operations.

9. IBM Internships

Location: Multiple locations across the U.S., including Iowa

Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend varies depending on the role

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Application Deadline: Rolling; varies depending on the internship and location

Dates: Internships are available year-round

Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students; varies by internship programs

IBM’s internship program allows you to contribute to projects in areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics, and quantum technologies. You work with engineers, researchers, and consultants, supporting the development of solutions used by clients. Your responsibilities may vary depending on your role, ranging from software development and research to design, consulting, or product-related tasks. 

The program includes hands-on project work, along with access to internal learning resources and training platforms. You may also have the option to participate in initiatives like Call for Code, depending on your team and project. Throughout the internship, you receive guidance from mentors and collaborate with colleagues across different teams. This experience helps you understand how work is structured and executed within a large technology organization.

10. NASA Internships — via Iowa Space Grant Consortium (ISGC)

Location: Multiple NASA centers across the U.S.; Iowa‑based students apply via the Iowa Space Grant Consortium (hosted at Iowa State University, Ames, IA)

Cost/Stipend: Paid; $8,200 (undergraduate) and $9,900 (graduate); NASA centers may provide additional stipends or benefits

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive and project‑dependent

Application Deadline: February 27

Dates: Spring 2026 session: June 1   –   August 7 (10 weeks)

Eligibility: U.S. citizen enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at a U.S.‑accredited institution.​ Must meet NASA’s STEM‑internship criteria (field‑of‑study, GPA, and age requirements; full details are linked from the ISGC site)

You would work on AI‑ or data‑science‑related projects at NASA centers, such as developing machine‑learning models for Earth‑observation data, autonomy systems for spacecraft or rovers, or AI‑assisted data processing pipelines for science missions. Tasks may include cleaning and preprocessing large datasets, experimenting with classification or regression models, building and testing AI‑enabled tools for automation or decision support, and evaluating model performance in domain‑specific environments. 

The work is project‑driven and closely tied to NASA’s engineering and science objectives. You would be expected to contribute to real‑time or near‑real‑time systems, document your methods, and present results to technical teams.

11. Apple Machine Learning / AI Internships

Location: Various locations across the U.S. (varies depending on internship) including Iowa

Cost/Stipend: Paid; compensation varies by role

Acceptance rate/cohort size: SelectiveApplication Deadline: Rolling; varies based on internship

Dates: Internships available throughout the year

Eligibility: Open to students working toward an undergraduate degree in computer science, engineering, data science, applied mathematics, or equivalent

In Apple’s Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning internship, you work on either applied or research-focused machine learning projects with engineers, researchers, and program managers. Your tasks may involve addressing problems in areas such as large language models, reinforcement learning, accessibility, privacy, or model evaluation, depending on the team you join. You collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and implement machine learning solutions using current tools and frameworks. 

Throughout the internship, you receive technical guidance and feedback on your work. You may also explore improvements to existing methods or develop new approaches to specific problems. The role often includes analyzing results and refining models based on findings. At the end of the program, you typically present your work to team members or leadership, and in some cases, your work may contribute to research submissions.

12. Applied AI Engineer Co‑op — Fall 2026 — GE Aerospace

Location: Remote position; organization is GE Aerospace, with connections to the Des Moines, Iowa / Polk County, Iowa opportunity listing

Cost/Stipend: Starting $20 per hour

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Application Deadline: Not specified

Dates: Fall 2026 start in September, co‑op‑style structure 

Eligibility: Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field at an accredited university or credentialed software‑accelerator program. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale

This is a remote, full‑time co‑op for an undergraduate student interested in AI‑enabled engineering software development. Your responsibilities would include developing data‑ and AI‑driven tools, designing and implementing proof‑of‑concept systems, and helping ship production‑ready applications that support decision‑making, design evaluation, and analytics for engineers.

You would gain hands‑on experience with cloud platforms, databases, data‑engineering pipelines, web‑based interfaces, and AI/ML systems, including work around machine learning, large language models (LLMs), or computer vision, where applicable. The program pairs you with experienced engineers who provide mentorship and who expect you to own parts of the development lifecycle, from architecture sketches through to demos for stakeholders. 

13. Kingland Systems —  Data Research Analyst Internship

Location: Kingland Systems, Ames, IA

Cost/Stipend: Paid (amount unspecified)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified

Application Deadline: Unspecified

Dates: Unspecified

Eligibility: Undergraduate students in data science, computer science, or related fields

In this internship, you may work on data governance, entity management, or AI-supported data solutions. You assist in handling large datasets and may contribute to automation or analytics tasks. Your role involves working with structured and unstructured data. 

You collaborate with teams that focus on data quality and integration. Guidance is provided through supervisors and team leads. The internship may include internal presentations or documentation tasks. This helps you understand how AI supports large-scale data management.

14. KANI Interdisciplinary Summer Camp — University of Iowa (DARE Program)

Location: The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

Cost/Stipend: Free; includes housing and a stipend of $100 per day for the onsite period (students from outside Iowa may receive a different stipend amount)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 40 students approx.

Application Deadline: March 15

Dates: Onsite: May 27   –   June 5; plus one week of virtual pre‑workshop training before camp and one week of virtual follow‑up afterward.​

Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, currently enrolled in public or private universities or community colleges in Kansas, Arkansas, Nebraska, or Iowa (KANI states)

You participate in a 10‑day, AI‑ and data‑science‑infused summer camp where you learn to apply machine learning and artificial intelligence to weather‑related datasets and resilience problems in agricultural communities. You’ll work with IoT sensors, UAVs (drones), and cloud‑ or high‑performance‑computing tools to build small‑scale AI applications for weather prediction, local‑weather‑intelligence assessment, or farm‑level decision support. 

The AI‑related work is project‑based: you will help define a problem, collect or simulate environmental data, train basic ML models, evaluate their performance, and prototype an end‑to‑end application that ties sensors, data pipelines, and AI components into a usable tool for rural‑community stakeholders. The program is structured as a “mini‑internship,” so you are expected to contribute to group‑level design, implementation, and documentation, treating AI not as a purely theoretical exercise but as part of an integrated engineering and data‑science workflow.

15. Undergraduate Research — Department of Computer Science, University of Iowa

Location: Department of Computer Science, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

Cost/Stipend: Varies by program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified

Application Deadline: Not specified

Dates: ~10‑week, in‑person, full‑time summer research experience

Eligibility: Undergraduate students in computer science or related fields at the University of Iowa or other institutions; CS‑department research projects are open to students who contact faculty and secure an independent‑study or REU‑style arrangement

You’ll work with the University of Iowa computer‑science faculty on research projects that may include artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, or informatics components, depending on the lab and mentor. If your project is in an AI‑ or data‑oriented group, you would typically help design and implement algorithms, preprocess datasets, build or evaluate models, and contribute to prototypes that support applications in health, well‑being, education, or other domains. 

The work is small‑scale and research‑driven. You would be expected to participate in experimental design, documentation, and presentation (e.g., posters or short talks) as part of the broader undergraduate‑research ecosystem rather than as a corporate‑style internship.