Intern, Artificial Intelligence & Innovation
Company : Cook Medical
Location : Bloomington, IN, 47404
Job Type : Intern
Date Posted : 11 January 2026
Overview
Join Cook Medical's AI & Innovation team to discover how artificial intelligence can accelerate our business strategy and drive innovation. Our team is actively learning, evaluating, and building AI prototypes in collaboration with various functions within the organization. As an AI & Innovation intern, you will play a crucial role in enhancing Cook's AI capabilities and promoting the adoption of cutting-edge technologies.
This position is a 12-week paid internship located in Bloomington, Indiana, offered from mid-May through mid-August (exact dates depend on school calendars). The position includes 401(k) options, an assigned mentor, a capstone presentation, and intern events. If working onsite, you will also have access to a fitness center, an onsite cafeteria option, and a one-time housing stipend. All internships provide hands-on experience with meaningful projects in the Medical Device Manufacturing Industry.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities:
The primary objective of the AI Intern is to gain practical experience by contributing to AI projects, learning and applying AI skills, supporting research and innovation, enhancing AI knowledge, collaborating effectively, contributing to responsible AI practices, building a professional network, creating documentation, and working toward personal development.
Specific Job Functions
- Assist in AI research and development projects, working closely with our AI & Innovation leads.
- Work collaboratively with computer engineers and creative professionals to explore, educate, consider, and recommend ways that we could use artificial intelligence to accelerate our business strategy, improve business processes, and unlock new data science capabilities.
- Lead and participate in rapid prototyping sessions to develop proof-of-concepts that could actually be used by the company.
- Document your approach and share your work with the organization.
- Conduct data collection, preparation, and cleaning for AI model training.
- Collaborate in the development and implementation of AI algorithms and models.
- Assist in the testing, evaluation, and validation of AI solutions.
- Participate in team discussions, brainstorming sessions, and knowledge sharing.
- Further develop our “AI Sandbox” to encourage AI experimentation throughout the company.
- Explore and implement AI solutions such as automating routine tasks, natural language processing (NLP) model for text analysis, computer vision projects, image recognition and object detection, utilization of LLM models to create customer chatbots etc.
- Participate in user experiments and pilot projects.
Qualifications
Required Skills:
- Strong programming skills in languages such as Python, and experience with AI frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch.
- Basic understanding of machine learning algorithms, neural networks, and deep learning concepts.
- Familiarity with data preprocessing, feature engineering, and data analysis.
- Motivated self-starter, excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently as well as in a team.
- Eagerness to learn, adapt, and take on new challenges in the AI field.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to convey complex technical concepts.
- All candidates should have an interest in a career in the Life Sciences field, a willingness to take initiative, and an ability to work well with others.
- Candidates should be students entering their Junior or Senior year the following fall semester or entering graduate school; candidates who graduate the spring semester before this internship are also eligible.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 is preferred
- All candidates must provide proof of enrollment (including pre-registration certification for the following fall) for consideration
- Multiple disciplines will be considered (e.g., Marketing, Life Sciences, General Business, and Management)
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Frequently asked questions
Bloomington’s tech internship market is growing steadily, but AI-specific roles like Cook Medical’s internship remain relatively niche. Expect moderate competition with a strong preference for candidates demonstrating Python proficiency and foundational AI knowledge, especially those enrolled in STEM or life sciences programs.
Interning in Bloomington provides access to a collaborative tech community with proximity to Indiana University’s research resources. Cook Medical supports hands-on AI projects in a medical device hub, offering unique exposure to healthcare innovation rarely found in other AI internships in the region.
Expertise in Python is essential, alongside familiarity with AI frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch. These tools empower interns to build, test, and refine machine learning models effectively, aligning with the role’s focus on rapid prototyping and AI algorithm development.
This internship can open doors to roles in AI research, data science, and AI engineering within life sciences or tech industries. The hands-on experience with AI prototypes at Cook Medical also strengthens prospects in healthcare innovation and AI-driven product development.
Unlike general tech roles, this position centers on advancing AI capabilities through prototyping, data preprocessing, and collaboration with cross-functional teams focused on medical device innovation. It involves more research-driven tasks and applying AI to solve specific healthcare challenges.
Cook Medical emphasizes responsible AI practices and interdisciplinary teamwork within a life sciences context. Interns are expected to contribute to meaningful AI projects that align with healthcare innovation, supported by mentorship and opportunities to present their work internally.
AI internships in Bloomington generally offer hourly rates between $18 and $25, reflecting the specialized skill set required. Cook Medical’s paid internship aligns with this range, providing competitive compensation alongside benefits like housing stipends and 401(k) options.
The 'AI sandbox' at Cook Medical is a collaborative environment encouraging experimentation with AI models and techniques. Interns can test innovative ideas, refine algorithms, and contribute to a culture of continuous learning, accelerating both personal growth and organizational AI adoption.
Interns may encounter hurdles such as integrating AI solutions into existing medical workflows, ensuring data quality, and balancing innovation with regulatory considerations. Overcoming these demands critical thinking, adaptability, and effective communication with multidisciplinary teams.
Collaboration is vital; interns work alongside engineers, data scientists, and healthcare professionals to tailor AI applications that meet business and clinical needs. This synergy enhances project outcomes and deepens the intern’s understanding of AI’s role in medical device innovation.