The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has officially launched applications for its Digital, AI and Innovation Internship: Global Call for 2026, offering students and recent graduates from around the world an opportunity to gain practical experience in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, data governance, innovation, and sustainable development.

The internship is hosted by UNDP’s Digital, AI and Innovation (DAI) Hub, a global platform that supports countries in leveraging emerging technologies and innovative approaches to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The programme is fully remote, allowing successful candidates to contribute to international development initiatives from anywhere in the world.

About the UNDP Digital, AI and Innovation Internship

As the development arm of the United Nations, UNDP works in more than 170 countries and territories to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including poverty, climate change, governance, inequality, and sustainable economic growth.

The Digital, AI and Innovation Hub serves as a central platform for advancing responsible digital transformation, artificial intelligence, systems innovation, and data-driven development solutions. Through this internship programme, participants will have the opportunity to collaborate with global teams while supporting innovative projects that strengthen institutions and improve public service delivery.

The internship start date is flexible, with applications being accepted on a rolling basis throughout 2026.

Areas of Work Available

Selected interns may contribute to one or more of the following workstreams:

Systems Transformation and Innovation
Programme Delivery and Capacity Building
Data Policy and Governance
Data Analytics and Insights
Partnerships and Strategic Communications
Process Efficiency and Resource Management
Product Design, Development and Management
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Tools
Research and Knowledge Management

Interns will engage in research, policy analysis, digital product development, stakeholder engagement, communications, capacity-building activities, and data-driven projects that support UNDP operations globally.

Key Responsibilities

Depending on their assigned workstream, interns may:

Conduct research on emerging digital, AI, and innovation trends
Support the development of digital and AI initiatives in partner countries
Assist in designing capacity-building materials and training programmes
Analyse quantitative and qualitative data
Develop dashboards and visualisation tools
Support policy development on data governance and digital rights
Draft reports, policy briefs, toolkits, and knowledge products
Contribute to strategic communications and partnership development
Assist in the design and testing of digital products and AI tools
Support knowledge management and content dissemination initiatives

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following educational criteria:

Be enrolled in a graduate-level degree programme (Master’s degree or higher)
Be enrolled in the final year of an undergraduate degree programme
Have graduated with a university degree within the past year and be able to begin the internship within one year of graduation

In addition, candidates should demonstrate:

Fluency in English
Strong analytical and research skills
Interest in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, innovation, data governance, or sustainable development
Excellent communication and teamwork abilities
The ability to work independently in a remote and multicultural environment

Internship Benefits

The UNDP internship offers participants valuable exposure to international development work while building practical professional skills.

Benefits include:

Monthly internship stipend in accordance with UNDP policy
Experience working with a leading United Nations agency
Exposure to global digital transformation and AI initiatives
Opportunities to collaborate with international experts and development practitioners
Professional networking opportunities across UNDP’s global ecosystem
Enhanced understanding of sustainable development and emerging technologies

The internship also provides participants with an opportunity to contribute to projects that support governments and communities in addressing development challenges through innovation and technology.

Application Process

Interested candidates must complete two application steps:

Submit an application through the official UNDP Careers platform
Complete the required Airtable application form

Applicants must also provide:

A brief cover letter in English
A current and complete CV in English

Because applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Application Deadline

The application window remains open until 30 September 2026.

Successful candidates may be contacted at any point between April and the end of 2026, depending on organizational needs and internship availability.

Final Thoughts

The UNDP Digital, AI and Innovation Internship 2026 presents a unique opportunity for students and recent graduates seeking hands-on experience in artificial intelligence, digital development, innovation, data governance, and international development. With flexible start dates, remote participation, and opportunities to work on impactful global projects, the programme is well-positioned to help aspiring professionals build skills that are increasingly relevant in a rapidly evolving digital world.

Those interested in shaping the future of sustainable development through technology and innovation are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date.

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY

For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel

Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.