Summer GenAI Solutions Strategist - 2026 Master’s Internship

Applications for this position will be accepted until March 13, 2026.; candidates should expect to hear back by the end of March regarding interviews.

All applicants must provide either: a URL to an interactive slideshow, a portfolio site, or a PDF attachment.

Summer GenAI Solutions Strategy Intern

IA Collaborative is seeking a GenAI Solutions Strategist Intern to join our team for a 10-week immersive experience in the world of innovation. You'll support the research, design, and deployment of innovative GenAI solutions tailored to clients' needs. Working alongside experienced strategists, you'll assist in balancing user needs with technical implementation and help translate both clear and ambiguous inputs into creative outcomes.

As a Summer GenAI Solutions Strategist you will have the opportunity to:

• Collaborate with client teams to understand needs and support the development of tailored GenAI solutions. Assist in building and maintaining client relationships through clear communication and high-quality work delivery. Support project management including tracking budgets, scope, and timelines.

• Support the development of generative AI tools and experiments addressing client needs and business opportunities. Assist in creating Proof of Concepts (PoCs) and contribute to strategic roadmaps for AI implementation. Help translate user-generated insights into innovative, viable solutions that push technical boundaries.

• Contribute to the deployment of Gen AI solutions across on-prem, cloud, and edge environments, with a focus on maintaining governance and security standards.

• Support business development by helping identify AI integration opportunities. Collaborate with team members and learn from mentorship on AI concepts. Participate in initiatives to enhance work quality and efficiency.

Required qualifications include:

• Currently pursuing a Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Design Engineering, Design, MSMBA, or related technical/design field

• Understanding of generative AI technologies and their business applications (e.g., RAG methods, API usage, Fine-Tuning, agentic systems)

• Programming proficiency in Python or JavaScript

• Basic experience with data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI, D3, or Matplotlib)

• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and hands-on experience experimenting with GenAI technologies

• Strong visual communication skills and understanding of human-centered design

• Strong client-ready presentation skills

• Ability to support client-facing work and contribute to solution presentations

• Experience with design and collaboration tools such as Figma, Keynote, and Microsoft Office

• Ability to work from our downtown headquarters 3 days per week for the duration of the internship

Preferred qualifications include:

• Previous experience in design consultancy, start-up, or innovation team

• Familiarity with Design Thinking methodologies including: In-context observations, stakeholder interviews, journey mapping, and framework design

• Experience contributing to PoCs and strategic roadmaps for AI implementation

• Familiarity with designing interactions and UI for AI experiences

• Knowledge of front-end development (JavaScript, HTML, CSS)

• Experience with AI/ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch)

• Understanding of basic MLOps practices

In the application and/or as part of the hiring process, candidates are asked to submit work samples. These should be anonymized as needed to protect current employer and/or client confidentiality agreements.

We expect that the 2026 summer internship program will take place between ~6/8/26 - 8/14/26. Availability will be confirmed with candidates prior to finalizing program details and schedule.

About the Data & Technology Strategy Team

The Data & Technology Strategy team at IA Collaborative combines technical expertise with design thinking to create innovative solutions for our clients. We work at the intersection of emerging technologies and human needs, ensuring that our technical solutions are both powerful and accessible. Our team collaborates closely with researchers, designers, and strategists to identify opportunities and develop solutions that drive meaningful impact for our clients.

Why IA Collaborative

At IA, you’ll practice your craft in a whole new context. You’ll be a part of designing the future of human experience as you transform your client’s business, empower communities and create a positive and lasting impact on the world.

Our internationally recognized workspace provides the inspiration and flexibility to collaborate with teams or to focus as an individual.

IA Collaborative Work Model

IA Collaborative operates under a hybrid work model. Team members are generally expected to work from the IA Collaborative office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with the flexibility to work remotely on Monday and Friday, subject to business, client, and team needs. The IA Collaborative office is located in the Chicago Loop and is accessible via public transportation.

Client onsite and in-field work is a required component of all roles at IA Collaborative. Team members should expect to be in the field approximately one to two times per month for two to three consecutive days, for purposes such as research activities or client meetings. The frequency, duration, and location of in-field work may vary based on role, project requirements, and client needs.

Standard office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday. All team members are expected to be available and responsive during these hours.

IA Collaborative reserves the right to modify work location expectations, schedules, or in-office requirements at any time based on operational, client, or business considerations.

About IA Collaborative

IA Collaborative is a global design and innovation consultancy focused on leading the forefront of behavioral insight, applied AI, and business innovation. We partner with the world’s most ambitious organizations to realize new growth, accelerate cultures of innovation, and create breakthrough products, platforms, and experiences. Our teams lead from insight to action – designing experiences that enhance lives, building collaborative intelligence that reinvents how we work, and launching offerings that impact the future of human experience.

IA is on the national and global stage speaking about the business value of design. Featured by Fast Company as one of the country’s preeminent design thinkers and nominated by the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum as a “Design Visionary,” IA’s leadership and work has been profiled by prominent business publications and has received multiple design accolades, including Best Design North America and Best UX Design in Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards; the SXSW Business Design Award; and multiple honors in the Red Dot International, International Design Excellence Awards (IDSA), the GOOD DESIGN Awards, and the iF World Design Awards. IA Collaborative works with the world’s most successful brands, including FedEx, Allstate, Airbnb, Fidelity, Apple, Johnson & Johnson, Nike, Lilly, and Audi.

At IA Collaborative, we are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We believe that welcoming a diverse variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills to our organization contributes to a thriving culture, a vibrant community, and breakthrough work. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local law.

For more information about IA Collaborative visit iacollaborative.com, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Glassdoor.

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