Vngle | AI & Automation Intern | DivInc

This is a role with a startup in the Blackstone LaunchPad internship program, through this company’s relationship with LaunchPad partner, DivInc. 

Please note all hiring decisions are made by each applicable company. Students are encouraged to conduct their own research and diligence on each employer and on any internship opportunity offered by any employer. Learn more about DivInc here

This is a role with a startup in the Blackstone LaunchPad internship program, through this company’s relationship with LaunchPad partner, DivInc. Learn more about DivInc here. Please note all hiring and employment-related decisions, including compensation and the terms and conditions of employment, are made by each applicable company. Students are encouraged to conduct their own research and diligence on each employer and on any internship opportunity offered by any employer.

About the program:

Blackstone LaunchPad is committed to equipping primarily first generation and low-income college students with career skills and exposure for career success. Learn more here. The Blackstone LaunchPad Summer Internship Program connects students to meaningful opportunities at Blackstone and LaunchPad employer partners: Blackstone portfolio companies and select startups. Please note all hiring and employment-related decisions, including compensation and the terms and conditions of employment, are made by each applicable company. Students are encouraged to conduct their own research and diligence on each employer and on any internship opportunity offered by any employer.

All hired interns receive mentorship and access to professional development opportunities to successfully launch their careers. Begin your journey with LaunchPad now by engaging in our Skills for Success series.

About Vngle: The Grassroots News & Intelligence Agency:

Vngle is reinventing the future of news and intelligence by bringing real, on-the-ground stories to the forefront of national conversations. As a nonpartisan grassroots news agency, we’re on a mission to bridge information gaps and cut through misinformation by equipping policymakers, civic institutions, and newsrooms with verified insights straight from communities across America. Using a decentralized reporting model and patented digital forensics technology, we ensure unfiltered, credible coverage that goes beyond traditional media narratives.

At Vngle, we’re not just reporting the news—we’re reshaping how the nation understands itself. We empower everyday people to be part of the story, giving voice to the unheard and uncovering the realities shaping America’s future. If you're a bold, curious, and driven innovator looking to make an impact, this is your chance to be part of a movement redefining journalism and civic intelligence for the next generation.

Position Overview:

Vngle is on a mission to revolutionize grassroots journalism by making trusted, nonpartisan news accessible to all. As our AI & Automation Intern, you will play a critical role in optimizing our workflows, automating transcription processes, and analyzing sentiment in grassroots stories to surface key insights.

This internship is perfect for a tech-savvy problem-solver eager to apply AI, automation, and data analytics to real-world journalism and intelligence operations. You’ll work closely with our team to implement cutting-edge tools that enhance how grassroots stories are collected, processed, and analyzed. Your contributions will directly shape how Vngle scales its grassroots intelligence efforts nationwide.

Responsibilities:

• Workflow Automation: Design and implement automation pipelines using tools like Zapier, Make (Integromat), Python scripts, or AI-based platforms to streamline operations.
• Auto-Transcription & Speech-to-Text Integration: Optimize and manage AI transcription tools (e.g., OpenAI Whisper, AWS Transcribe, Otter.ai) to convert grassroots video/audio stories into structured text.
• Sentiment & Thematic Analysis: Use NLP techniques (e.g., VADER, TextBlob, Hugging Face) to analyze sentiment, key themes, and trends in grassroots reports.
• Data Structuring & Organization: Help refine and categorize grassroots stories using AI-driven tagging and metadata management.
• AI Research & Implementation: Experiment with emerging AI tools that can enhance the storytelling and verification process.
• Collaboration & Reporting: Work cross-functionally with journalists, engineers, and strategists to ensure automation and analytics align with Vngle’s broader mission.

Qualifications:

We understand that interns are here to learn, so we’re looking for someone curious, proactive, and eager to solve problems with AI and automation.

Must-Haves:

• Currently pursuing or achieved expertise in Computer Science, Data Science, AI/ML, Journalism-Tech, or an equivalent related field (whether recently completed, pursuing a degree, or self-taught).
• Strong skills in automation tools (Zapier, Make, Python scripting, or APIs).
• Experience or interest in NLP and sentiment analysis tools (VADER, TextBlob, Hugging Face, or similar).
• Basic familiarity with AI-powered transcription tools (OpenAI Whisper, AWS Transcribe, Otter.ai, or others).
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• A proactive attitude and willingness to experiment with new technologies.

Bonus Points If You Have:

• Knowledge of SQL, NoSQL, or data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI).
• Experience working with speech-to-text AI or media processing.
• An interest in grassroots journalism, civic tech, or media innovation.

What You’ll Gain:

• Hands-on Experience: Work on real-world AI automation and grassroots intelligence challenges.
• Impactful Work: Play a direct role in scaling trusted, community-driven news.
• Mentorship & Professional Growth: Receive guidance from community experts in AI, automation, and grassroots media.
• Cutting-Edge Exposure: Gain experience with leading AI/NLP tools and automation frameworks.
• A Portfolio-Boosting Experience: Build projects that showcase your skills in AI-driven automation and data analysis.