Summer 2026, Research & Events Internship, AI and Emerging Technology, Institutional Initiatives (Job ID 2026-3799)

Overview

Thinking about a career in public policy? Committed to improving the world we live in? Think Brookings - one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!  

Interns spend approximately 12 weeks working alongside leading experts in government and academia from all over the world. Brookings also offers students the opportunity to intern in departments such as communications, human resources and central operations management. The mission of the Internship Program is to provide students with a pre-professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work experience related to their field of study or career interest. Students engage in career exploration and development as well as learn new skills. 

 

Interns will have the opportunity to attend meetings, think tank events, professional development workshops, and public Brookings events.  In addition, interns will have the opportunity to network with other interns throughout the Institution. 

 

This internship is an opportunity for undergraduate students in their junior or senior year, or recent college graduates (individuals applying no more than one calendar year from their graduation year), to apply principles and theory learned in the classroom in a professional environment. The internship will provide candidates with an opportunity to contribute to a new initiative on artificial intelligence and emerging technology at the world’s leading think tank. PhD students are not eligible for internships; please visit our Careers page for current open positions. This internship pays an hourly rate of $18.00, and applicants must be willing to commit to a minimum number of hours per week (no less than 20 hours per week, during regular business hours), with some flexibility around an academic course schedule. 

  

To learn more about Brookings research programs, click here. 

  

Position Location: This is a hybrid opportunity. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC, office with the option of remote work. Remote work applicants may not work from the following states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. Please only apply if you can live and work in states other than those listed above for the duration of the internship. 

Responsibilities

The intern will assist in coordinating events and conducting research on public policy and emerging technology. Brookings scholars affiliated with the Brookings AI and Emerging Technology (AIET) Initiative work on a wide range of tech policy issues and projects, from AI governance, evaluations, and sociotechnical standards to geopolitics of AI, disinformation, navigating economic transformation from AI, and more. Interns will be responsible for a range of event management, research, and publication tasks in support of ongoing projects in the AIET Initiative. Applicants should identify specific topics of interest in their cover letter. More information on the AIET Initiative can be found here.

Qualifications

Education/Knowledge/Skills:

 

This internship is an opportunity for undergraduate students in their junior or senior year, or recent college graduates (individuals applying no more than one calendar year from their graduation year), working towards a degree in a relevant field (e.g., computer science, engineering, social science, public policy, etc.). 

 

Applicants must have excellent communication, writing, and analytical skills; strong organizational skills; experience working independently with little direction; and a passion to learn and adapt in a fast-paced office environment. Proficiency in R, Python, or another language for data analysis is strongly preferred.

 

Additional Information: 

  

This internship requires you to be located in the U.S. for the duration of the internship. 

  

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for interning at Brookings. 

  

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please submit your resume as instructed and include your cover letter as a separate attachment when you apply. You are required to submit/attach a separate cover letter for each internship application. Your cover letter should highlight your educational experience and skills, along with an explanation of how this internship will contribute to your professional goals. Please address your cover letter to Hiring Manager.  

  

If selected as a finalist for the internship, you will be required to submit two letters of recommendation or provide two professional references.