14 AI Internships for Undergraduates in Louisiana

College students interested in artificial intelligence have access to internship opportunities across technology companies, research institutions, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and startups. Depending on the role, you may contribute to projects involving machine learning, data science, computer vision, natural language processing, software development, or AI research. These experiences can help you build technical skills, gain familiarity with industry tools and workflows, and develop a deeper understanding of how AI is applied in different contexts. Many internships also involve collaboration with engineers, researchers, and interdisciplinary teams, providing exposure to both technical and professional aspects of the field. 

You can check out other AI internships available for undergraduates in our blog here!

Why Should I Do an AI Internship in College?

AI internships can give you the opportunity to contribute to projects in machine learning, data science, computer vision, natural language processing, and AI research. Through these experiences, you can help with research studies, analyze datasets, support software development, evaluate models, or work with other AI-related technologies. Many internships result in research contributions, technical portfolios, presentations, publications, or completed projects that can be included in future applications. They also provide exposure to the different environments in which AI is developed and used, including research institutions, startups, government agencies, and technology companies.

To help you evaluate your choices, we have compiled a list of the 14 AI internships for undergraduates in Louisiana. Because artificial intelligence continues to influence all industries, an internship experience can provide valuable context for future academic and career decisions.

Key takeaways

  • This list gathers 14 AI and data science-related internships for undergraduates connected to Louisiana, spanning universities, major technology companies, and government research labs, with standout hosts including Apple, IBM, JPMorgan Chase, and NASA.

  • Pay varies widely, with strong stipends like $8,200 for an aerospace-focused fellowship and $7,500 to $11,500 through a Navy research program, while a few of the university-affiliated roles pay a standard hourly rate instead.

  • A number of these are general technology, research, or industry internships where AI exposure is one part of a broader role rather than the sole focus, so it's worth confirming the specific AI-related tasks with each host organization if hands-on AI work is your main goal.

  • Most of these are based in or connected to Louisiana cities like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette, while a few of the major tech company internships also have positions available nationwide.

  • The earliest deadline falls on November 1 for a competitive Navy research program, with several more clustering into February, so it's worth starting applications well before winter break wraps up.

1. Tulane AI Innovation Internship

Location: Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Dates: Varies each year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Application Deadline: Varies each year
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students; specific requirements may vary

The AI Innovation Internship Program at Tulane University is an applied internship through the Tulane Data Institute where you work on artificial intelligence and data science projects developed in collaboration with faculty and research teams. You contribute to ongoing initiatives by helping build prototypes, supporting model development, and assisting with data analysis depending on the project you are assigned to. Many projects focus on using AI tools and methods to solve problems in research, education, and community-focused applications. Throughout the internship, you work in a structured environment that emphasizes collaboration between students, researchers, and technical mentors. The program also introduces you to responsible AI practices, including how data-driven systems are designed and evaluated in academic settings.

2. Ladder Internships

Location: Virtual
Cost: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 25%; around 100 students per cohort
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks

Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program that connects high school and undergraduate students with startups working across fields such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, software engineering, and business innovation. Founded by Harvard scholars, the program matches you with a startup where you work on structured, project-based assignments guided by mentors or company founders. Throughout the internship, you participate in weekly sessions, contribute to defined deliverables, and gain exposure to how startups operate and solve real-world problems. The program also includes guidance from the Ladder team to help you navigate your placement and project work.

3. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana – Data Science Intern

Location: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, LA
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid (exact amount may vary each year)
Dates: Varies each year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Application Deadline: Varies each year
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students

The College Internship program at LaBlue offers undergraduate students opportunities to gain early professional experience across areas such as technology, data, product development, and business operations depending on current openings. As an intern, you may contribute to project-based work that involves AI research, analysis, and support for ongoing team initiatives within a startup-style environment. Some roles may include exposure to data-driven AI tools and workflows, including basic analytics and technology platforms used in product and operations teams. The program is designed to give students a flexible entry point into industry work, with responsibilities varying based on role and team needs.

4. Connolly Alexander Institute for Data Science – AI Curriculum Intern

Location: CAIDS, New Orleans, LA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend of $18/hour
Dates: Varies each year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Application Deadline: Varies each year
Eligibility: Undergraduate students from all backgrounds and schools, including international students

The AI Online Curriculum Assistant (UG) at Tulane’s Connolly Alexander Institute for Data Science is a co-curricular role in which you support the development of online learning materials focused on artificial intelligence and data literacy. You contribute to creating and refining digital curriculum content that helps introduce core AI concepts in an accessible format for undergraduate learners. The role involves working with faculty and program staff to structure educational modules and adapt technical ideas into clearer, student-friendly explanations. You also assist in organizing and improving instructional materials used in AI-focused learning initiatives across disciplines. In addition, you may help review how content is presented to ensure clarity and coherence for online delivery.

5. Summer Research Internship Program At LSU

Location: LSU, New Orleans, LA
Cost/Stipend: Free; $5,000 stipend, parking fee of $72.00 plus $25.00 gate card fee not covered
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Undergraduates majoring in any of the sciences with a minimum 3.0 GPA who are U.S citizens or permanent residents (Applicants attending universities outside of the New Orleans area will be considered only if they have plans to live in the southeast vicinity during the summer)

The Undergraduate Summer Research Internship Program in the Department of Genetics at LSU Health Sciences Center is an eight-week experience in which you contribute to faculty-mentored research in genetics, genomics, and biomedical science, with increasing integration of computational and AI-assisted approaches in modern research workflows. You participate in a structured summer program that includes working on an assigned research project, supporting ongoing lab activities, and following guidance from your research mentor while engaging with data-driven scientific questions. Depending on the lab, you may interact with computational tools and AI-supported methods used in genetic analysis, literature review, or data interpretation. The program also includes weekly seminars that introduce you to different areas of medical and basic science research at LSUHSC and provide exposure to evolving technologies in biomedical research.

6. Tulane Data Research Internship

Location: CAIDS, New Orleans, LA
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid, exact amount varies each year
Dates: Varies each year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Application Deadline: Varies each year
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students

The Data Research Internship Program at the Connolly Alexander Institute for Data Science (CAIDS) is a co-curricular research experience in which you work on interdisciplinary, data-driven projects with faculty, staff, and community partners. The program increasingly integrates computational and AI-assisted workflows, where you may use AI tools to support data processing, summarization, and research assistance under structured academic guidance. As an intern, you can contribute to projects that involve data collection, cleaning, analysis, and visualization, while also supporting the development of digital tools and research outputs such as dashboards, maps, databases, and web-based applications. You will also participate in collaborative project teams that follow ethical and community-engaged data practices, ensuring responsible use of data and technology in research contexts.

7. Stuller Internship Program

Location: Stuller, Lafayette, LA
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid, exact amount varies each year
Dates: June 4 – August 14
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students

The Stuller Internship Program is a structured professional experience where you work within a large-scale manufacturing and technology-driven company focused on jewelry production, supply chain systems, and digital commerce operations. The roles span areas like machine learning, AI, engineering, IT, data, marketing, finance, or operations, where you contribute to ongoing projects and internal business workflows. From an AI and intelligent systems perspective, the program offers exposure to how data-driven decision-making and automation support enterprise-scale operations. Depending on your placement, you may work alongside systems that involve predictive analytics, inventory optimization, process automation, and digital tools that streamline logistics and production planning. You may also interact with internal platforms where data is used to improve efficiency across supply chain and product management functions.

8. Apple Machine Learning and AI Internship

Location: Baton Rouge, LA and other locations nationwide
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid, exact amount varies by posting
Dates: Varies each year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students

The Apple AI/ML Internship for undergraduates is a selective program where you work with Apple’s Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning teams on projects involving large-scale models, data systems, and applied machine learning. As an intern, you contribute to ongoing work in areas such as natural language processing, computer vision, recommendation systems, reinforcement learning, and model evaluation, depending on your team placement. Projects are typically embedded within product and research teams, where you may assist in building, testing, or improving ML models used across Apple services and devices. Throughout the internship, you work alongside engineers and researchers in a structured environment, gaining exposure to how AI systems are developed and integrated into large-scale consumer technology. You also receive mentorship from Apple professionals while participating in team discussions, development cycles, and technical reviews.

9. JPMorgan Chase – Data Science & AI Internship Program

Location: New Orleans, LA and other locations nationwide
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid, exact amount varies each year
Dates: Varies each year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students; typically for bachelor’s/master’s students in quantitative or technical fields

The JPMorgan Chase Data Analytics Opportunities program is an internship track where you work with data science, machine learning, and analytics teams across different areas of a global financial institution. In this role, you work with large datasets and support projects that use data-driven methods to improve decision-making, risk analysis, and operational systems. Depending on your placement, you may work on building analytical models, improving data pipelines, or supporting AI and machine learning applications used across business units. You are placed in team-based environments where data analysts, engineers, and quantitative researchers collaborate to solve practical problems using statistical and computational tools. The experience is designed to help you understand how data and AI techniques are applied at scale within finance, especially in areas that rely on prediction, optimization, and automation.

10. NASA OSTEM Internships

Location: Several locations across the US, including New Orleans, LA
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on project
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Varies based on project
Application Deadline: Varies based on project
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students who are U.S. citizens | who are at least 16 years old, with a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

The NASA Internship Program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to contribute to projects that support the agency’s work in science, engineering, technology, and space exploration. For students interested in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science, available internship projects may involve areas such as computer vision, autonomous systems, robotics, data analysis, predictive modeling, and AI-enabled research tools, depending on the NASA center and team. Internships are offered through NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) and place students alongside scientists, engineers, and researchers working on mission-related challenges.

11. IBM Data Science & AI Internship

Location: Multiple locations nationwide, including Baton Rouge, LA
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on project
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Varies based on project
Application Deadline: Varies based on project
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students

The IBM Internship Program is a global early-career opportunity that places you on professional teams working across areas such as artificial intelligence, software engineering, cloud computing, cybersecurity, consulting, and data science. From the beginning of the internship, you contribute to active projects while collaborating with experienced professionals on technology-driven solutions. Depending on your role, you may work with AI models, data analytics platforms, automation tools, or cloud-based systems that support enterprise-scale applications. In addition to project responsibilities, you gain exposure to IBM’s innovation ecosystem through mentorship, training resources, and professional development opportunities.

12. LaSPACE Industry Internship Opportunities 

Location: Multiple NASA centers nationwide, including Baton Rouge, LA
Cost/Stipend: Free; $8,200 stipend 
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 31 - April 17
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are US citizens, eligible for a NASA security badge (students cannot graduate before completion of the internship)

The LaSPACE Industry Internship Program places undergraduate students with Louisiana companies and organizations engaged in aerospace, technology, engineering, and related industries. Internship projects vary by host organization and may involve software development, robotics, data analysis, engineering simulation, visualization, and other technology-focused work. For students interested in artificial intelligence, some placements provide exposure to the data-driven systems and computational tools that support automation, autonomous technologies, predictive modeling, and intelligent decision-making. You work alongside industry professionals on ongoing projects while gaining insight into how advanced technologies are applied to real operational challenges.

13. BASF Data Science / Computer Engineering Internship

Location: Multiple locations across the U.S including Geismar, LA
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid (exact amount varies)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Multiple two-month and six-month internships offered year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students

The BASF Data Science and Computer Engineering Internship is a technology-focused industry experience that introduces you to how data and computational tools support operations within a global manufacturing company. You work on projects involving data analysis, software development, and engineering problem-solving while collaborating with technical teams across the organization. Depending on project needs, you may help analyze operational datasets, develop data-driven solutions, or support systems that improve efficiency and decision-making. The internship provides exposure to the large-scale data environments that underpin modern applications of artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and process optimization.

14. Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP)

Location: Various U.S. Navy sites, including New Orleans, LA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend of $7,500 for new undergraduates, $9,000 for returning undergraduates, $11,500 for graduate students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: 10 weeks in Summer
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: Rising sophomores or equivalent who are on track to complete freshman year by the start of the internship and graduate students aged 18+ who are U.S citizens

The Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP) is a summer research opportunity that places undergraduate students in Department of the Navy laboratories across the United States. You work directly with Navy scientists and engineers on active research projects while receiving guidance from a professional mentor throughout the internship. Artificial intelligence projects may involve machine learning, autonomous systems, robotics, computer science, cybersecurity, or data-driven research, depending on the host laboratory and research team. Your responsibilities can include analyzing datasets, developing software tools, conducting technical investigations, or supporting computational research related to ongoing scientific challenges. Because each laboratory specializes in different research areas, the experience varies across placements and provides exposure to a broad range of emerging technologies.

Questions students often ask about these internships

1. Do I need prior AI or coding experience to apply to these internships?

It depends on the program. The major tech company internships do expect relevant coursework or technical skills, while several of the university and government-affiliated programs are more open to students building that background for the first time.

2. A few of these programs describe AI exposure as just one possible part of the role. How do I know if I'll actually work on AI projects?

Reach out directly to the host organization or program coordinator to ask about the specific AI-related tasks in your placement, since a few of these use fairly hedged language about AI involvement. Prioritize the listings from major tech companies if guaranteed AI work matters most to you.

3. Are any of these internships open to students at universities outside Louisiana?

Yes, several of the major tech company internships (Apple, IBM, JPMorgan Chase, NASA) are open to undergraduates nationwide, not just those attending Louisiana schools. The university-specific programs, though, are generally limited to students at that particular institution.

Dhruva Bhat

Dhruva Bhat is one of the co-founders of Ladder, and a Harvard College graduate. Dhruva founded Ladder Internships as a DPhil candidate and Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, with a vision to bridge the gap between ambitious students and real-world startup experiences.

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