When people hear United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), they usually imagine policy papers, high-level meetings and international conferences.
I thought exactly the same.
Then I got accepted into the UNDP Digital, AI and Innovation Hub Internship, and I quickly realised how different the reality was.
This wasn’t the kind of internship where interns spend months watching from the sidelines or making coffee for senior staff.
From the first week, I was contributing to projects that explored artificial intelligence, digital transformation, data governance and innovation across countries that were trying to solve real development challenges.
Looking back, it became one of the most demanding and rewarding—professional experiences I’ve ever had.
If you’re thinking about applying for the next intake, here’s what the internship was actually like, what surprised me most, and what I wish I had known before I started.
Why This Internship Stands Out
There are plenty of internships that mention AI, innovation and digital transformation in the job description.
Many of them end up involving repetitive administrative work.
The UNDP Digital, AI and Innovation Hub was different because digital innovation wasn’t just something the organisation talked about it was part of almost every discussion.
Every project eventually came back to one question:
How can technology genuinely improve people’s lives?
Not technology for the sake of innovation.
Technology that helps governments deliver better services.
Technology that improves healthcare.
Technology that strengthens education.
Technology that supports climate resilience.
Technology that makes public institutions work more efficiently.
That focus completely changed how I think about artificial intelligence.
My First Week Was Nothing Like I Expected
I arrived expecting weeks of onboarding.
Instead, I found myself sitting in meetings with colleagues working across multiple continents.
Some joined from Africa.
Others logged in from Asia.
Europe.
Latin America.
The Middle East.
Within days I realised this internship wasn’t limited by geography.
The Digital, AI and Innovation Hub operates globally, meaning every meeting brought together different perspectives, different priorities and different challenges.
It was impossible to think only from the viewpoint of one country.
Choosing the Right Workstream Matters More Than Most Applicants Realise
One part of the application asks applicants to rank three preferred workstreams.
At first, this looked like a routine formality.
It isn’t.
Your workstream shapes almost everything you experience during the internship.
Some interns focused on:
Artificial intelligence products.
Digital public infrastructure.
Data governance.
Research.
Innovation systems.
Strategic communications.
Programme delivery.
Data analytics.
Each area attracts different kinds of projects.
I spent a great deal of time working across innovation and digital transformation, which meant every week looked different.
Some days involved researching emerging technologies.
Other days meant reviewing project documentation.
Sometimes we brainstormed solutions with colleagues spread across multiple time zones.
No two weeks were identical.
Artificial Intelligence Was Treated as a Tool—Not a Buzzword
Before joining UNDP, I assumed AI conversations would focus mainly on new software and emerging technologies.
Instead, discussions were much broader.
Questions frequently included:
How do governments regulate AI responsibly?
How do developing countries adopt AI without increasing inequality?
What happens when public institutions don’t have sufficient digital infrastructure?
How can AI improve public services while protecting privacy?
Those conversations completely changed my understanding of artificial intelligence.
The technology itself wasn’t the centre of attention.
People were.
Collaboration Happened Across Every Discipline
One thing that surprised me most was how interdisciplinary the work became.
In one project I worked alongside:
Policy specialists.
Software developers.
Communications experts.
Researchers.
Data analysts.
Programme managers.
Everyone approached the same challenge differently.
Initially, that felt confusing.
Later, it became one of the internship’s biggest strengths.
Innovation rarely comes from one profession.
It happens when different expertise comes together.
Research Was Far More Practical Than Academic
I expected lengthy literature reviews.
Instead, research usually needed immediate practical value.
When someone asked for background information, they weren’t looking for a 40-page academic paper.
They needed concise evidence that could help shape decisions.
Learning how to summarise complex information clearly became one of the most valuable skills I developed.
Communication Turned Out to Be One of the Most Important Skills
Many applicants believe technical skills alone are enough.
That wasn’t my experience.
Whether discussing AI, governance or innovation, the ability to explain complicated ideas simply became incredibly important.
Some of the strongest professionals in the Hub weren’t necessarily the most technical.
They were the people who could make complex concepts understandable for governments, partners and communities.
That skill is far rarer—and more valuable—than many people realise.
Working in an International Environment Changes Your Thinking
One meeting could include participants from five continents.
Another might involve experts representing entirely different development priorities.
Some countries discussed AI regulation.
Others focused on expanding internet access.
Some were exploring digital identity systems.
Others were improving government data management.
Listening to these conversations made me realise that innovation isn’t universal.
Every country starts from a different place.
Good solutions always reflect local realities.
Deadlines Move Quickly
One lesson I learned early was that international organisations work faster than many people assume.
Projects often involve multiple partners, multiple offices and strict timelines.
Meeting deadlines became essential.
Waiting until the last minute simply wasn’t an option because your work often affected someone else’s progress.
That taught me to organise my workload far more effectively than I ever had at university.
LinkedIn Was More Valuable Than I Expected
The application requests a LinkedIn profile.
Initially I didn’t think much about it.
Later I realised why it mattered.
Many conversations continued after meetings ended.
Professionals connected through LinkedIn.
Ideas were shared.
Resources circulated.
Relationships continued growing beyond the internship itself.
Maintaining a professional online presence became part of working internationally.
The Application Questions Reveal What UNDP Values
One of my favourite parts of the application asks applicants to explain why they’re interested in a particular workstream using a real example.
Notice what isn’t being asked.
They’re not asking applicants to describe their dream career.
They’re asking for evidence.
A project.
A course.
Something you built.
Research you conducted.
Volunteer work.
Something tangible.
That tells you exactly how the organisation evaluates potential.
They value demonstrated curiosity over impressive buzzwords.
Language Skills Open More Doors
English quickly became the common language across most meetings.
However, colleagues who spoke additional UN languages often found themselves contributing in unexpected ways.
French.
Spanish.
Arabic.
Chinese.
Russian.
Those language skills frequently helped bridge conversations across different regions.
Even basic multilingual ability became an advantage.
Innovation Is More About Listening Than Inventing
Before joining the Hub, I thought innovation meant constantly producing new ideas.
Now I see it differently.
Many successful projects began by listening.
Listening to governments.
Listening to communities.
Listening to partners.
Only after understanding the problem did teams begin designing solutions.
That simple shift completely changed how I approach innovation today.
Who Should Consider Applying?
From what I experienced, this internship suits people who enjoy solving problems rather than following routines.
Strong applicants often come from backgrounds such as:
Computer Science.
Artificial Intelligence.
Data Science.
Economics.
Public Policy.
International Development.
Engineering.
Communications.
Political Science.
Design.
Information Systems.
Statistics.
Business.
At the same time, the Hub genuinely values interdisciplinary thinking.
Some of the most interesting conversations happened between people with completely different academic backgrounds.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, applicants generally need to meet one of these conditions:
Be enrolled in a graduate degree programme.
Be in the final year of an undergraduate degree.
Have graduated within the past year and be able to begin the internship within that period.
Applicants must also complete the official UNDP Quantum application, as submitting only the workstream preference form is not sufficient for consideration.
Choosing Your Workstream Carefully
Available workstreams include:
Systems Transformation & Innovation
Programme Delivery & Capacity Building
Data Policy & Governance
Data Analytics & Insights
Partnerships & Strategic Communications
Process Efficiency & Resource Management
Product Design, Build and Management (including AI tools)
Research & Knowledge Management
Rather than choosing the trendiest option, select the areas where you can genuinely demonstrate previous experience or curiosity. The strongest applications connect academic work, personal projects or professional experience directly to the chosen workstream.
My Summary
Looking back, the UNDP Digital, AI and Innovation Hub Internship wasn’t just another line on my CV, it fundamentally changed how I think about technology, public service and international development.
The experience showed me that digital transformation is never just about software or algorithms. It’s about designing solutions that make governments more effective, improve people’s daily lives and create opportunities for communities that are often left behind.
If you’re passionate about artificial intelligence, digital governance, innovation, data or global development, this internship offers something few others can: the chance to work alongside experts tackling real-world challenges on a global scale. It’s demanding, collaborative and intellectually rewarding, and it leaves you with practical skills, international connections and a much deeper understanding of how technology can be used for meaningful impact.
If you are interested in been part of this opportunity visit the official applications portal to apply now
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About Scholars Africa Editorial Team
Scholars Africa Editorial Team is dedicated to researching and publishing verified scholarships, jobs, and global opportunities. Our content is built on extensive analysis of application trends, eligibility criteria, and selection patterns to help applicants succeed at every stage. Our team has reviewed hundreds of scholarship programs and application processes across multiple countries.
