Museum Technology Innovation and Experimentation Internship
NOTE: Applications submitted through Handshake will NOT be considered.
June 3 – August 29, 2025
Desired Majors or Areas of Study: Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Media, Systems Management, or related fields
The Office of Information Technology is responsible for the overall planning, direction and management of the Museum’s IT programs and operations. Conducting business analysis to identify Museum business needs and goals and develop innovative solutions to resolve difficult issues, identifying management improvements and cost savings, and effectively leveraging emerging opportunities. Its mission is to provide technology solutions that enable the museum to deliver meaningful and impactful learning experiences and information about African American history and culture. NMAAHC IT delivers innovative information technology services and systems that are customer-focused, value-driven, and risk-managed.
Museum Technology Innovation and Experimentation Intern will work on strategic projects designed to improve organizational performance, enhance visitor experiences through technology, and explore the transformative potential of AI and ML within museum contexts. Guided by IT and innovation specialists, participants will engage in practical, impactful projects aligned with the museum’s mission to amplify African American history and culture globally. Interns can anticipate learning in the following areas:
- Strategic IT Capability Development
- Analyze IT capabilities within a museum context and identify areas for optimization
- Apply frameworks such as the IT Capability Model (ITCM) to enhance performance
- Align IT strategies with organizational and cultural goals.
- Innovation and Technology Experimentation
- Design and prototype innovative technology solutions that enhance visitor engagement
- Apply design thinking and agile methodologies to develop user-centric museum tools
- Utilize AR/VR, interactive media, or similar technologies for storytelling
- AI and Machine Learning for Museums
- Define and implement ML frameworks tailored to museum challenges
- Develop scalable, ethical ML models for visitor personalization and artifact digitization
- Explore AI’s role in cultural heritage preservation and knowledge discovery.
Additionally, interns will: develop project management and collaboration skills in a multidisciplinary environment; gain exposure to the ethical considerations of technology in cultural settings; and strengthen technical proficiency in IT infrastructure, ML frameworks, and experimental technology.
Duties Include (but are not limited to):
- Assess IT infrastructure using ITCM frameworks and benchmarks
- Prototype strategies for improving operational efficiency
- Research emerging IT trends for organizational application
- Collaborate on experimental projects to test and refine digital solutions
- Conduct user feedback sessions to enhance digital engagement tools
- Document project outcomes for internal use and public dissemination
- Research global AI/ML trends relevant to cultural institutions.
- Design, train, and validate ML models for museum-specific use cases
- Support the integration of AI/ML solutions into global museum frameworks