Software and AI Development Intern

To be considered for this role, you must apply directly through our online application. 

Overview

Cato's Digital team handles web development, enterprise technology, data services, and digital marketing infrastructure—aligning Cato's entire technology stack with the institute's strategic goals. The team works at the crossroads of a think tank and a software organization, developing and maintaining internal tools, data systems, and digital publishing infrastructure that support Cato's research and communications activities.

Interns work on applied software projects with genuine autonomy and real institutional stakes. Past projects have included an AI-powered morning brief generator that scrapes topic-relevant news and delivers personalized daily digests to scholars; an employment research tool for HR that pulls publicly available data from LinkedIn and X to flag relevant candidate histories; a LinkedIn candidate search and ranking tool for the marketing team; and an AI-assisted contract builder that replicates core functions of a commercial contract platform, including clause-by-clause review and Spanish translation. Projects that work get deployed and used — interns should expect to own their work from design through delivery and be prepared to operate with significant independence from day one.

Projects that work get deployed and used — interns should expect to own their work from design through delivery and be prepared to operate with significant independence from day one.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and deploy internal tools and automation systems using low-code platforms, APIs, and scripting—based on team needs and intern skills and interests.
• Create AI-driven workflows and automations, such as web scrapers, data pipelines, and AI-assisted content generation tools.
• Set up and configure enterprise tool authentication, API integrations, and workflow automations.
• Assist with data analysis, cleanup, and visualization as needed across team projects.
• Support other digital, data, and technology projects as assigned.

Required qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in using technology to communicate ideas and develop useful tools; aligned with Cato's principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace.
• Programming proficiency in at least one language — Python preferred for automation, scripting, and data tasks; JavaScript or similar for web projects.
• Experience working with APIs, including setting up authentication, integrating endpoints, and performing basic debugging.
• Proficiency with low-code and automation tools for workflow creation and enterprise integrations.
• Organized and dependable — experienced with version control (Git/GitHub), clear documentation practices, and consistent follow-through on project deliverables.
• Self-starter attitude — ability to define a project, work independently through uncertainty, and deliver functional systems without close oversight.
• Professionalism, reliability, and attention to detail — software projects demand accuracy in both implementation and documentation, and consistent follow-through from design through deployment.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience developing AI-powered tools, including LLM integrations, prompt engineering, or AI-assisted workflow automation.
• Knowledge of web scraping libraries and data pipeline development.
• Experience with Salesforce or similar CRM platforms, including data models, segmentation, and API access.
• Background in computer science, information systems, software engineering, or a related technical field.

The Cato Internship Program

Cato’s paid internships are available for undergraduates, recent graduates, graduate students, law students, and early-career professionals who are strongly committed to individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace—principles that together form libertarianism, also known as “classical liberalism,” “market liberalism,” or, to many of our international friends, simply “liberalism.” 

All Cato interns participate in the same intensive seminar series, which covers a wide range of history, philosophy, policy, and professional development topics. Interns also assist with events and occasionally support Cato staff with other daily tasks. 

Interns receive competitive pay. Part-time roles are adjusted accordingly and require a minimum of 25 hours per week. Program participants must be able to attend in person in Washington, DC.

For more information about the internship program and experience, we encourage you to explore our website. If you have any questions, email studentprograms@cato.org.