AI and Automation Intern

Build & Automate

• Identify repetitive, manual and time-consuming tasks in the AI & Innovation team and wider business, and design practical ways to automate them.
• Build working automations and tools using Cursor, Python, Power Automate, Power Apps and Copilot Studio, choosing the simplest tool that does the job well.
• Take a loosely defined problem, clarify what is actually needed, and work independently through build, test and hand-over with minimal supervision.
• Document what you build so that others can use, support and maintain it, and store code and assets in GitHub or Azure DevOps.

Rapid Prototyping & Innovation

• Turn ideas from the innovation pipeline into quick proofs of concept that show whether an idea works and is worth pursuing.
• Experiment with AI capabilities such as Azure OpenAI models, AI Foundry, document intelligence and AI agents, and share what you learn with the team.
• Demo prototypes to colleagues and stakeholders, gather feedback, and iterate quickly.
• Research new AI tools and techniques, and recommend which ones would be useful for Cornerstone.

AI Governance Support

• Support the running of the AI Governance Board, including preparing papers, drafting minutes and tracking actions to completion.
• Help carry out initial assessments of proposed AI use cases, capturing the purpose, data involved, risks and benefits for review.
• Keep governance records, registers and trackers accurate and up to date, looking for ways to automate them.

Content, Reporting & Communication

• Produce clear, well-designed presentations, briefings, one-pagers and reports for audiences ranging from technical teams to senior leaders.
• Build simple dashboards and reports using Excel, Power BI and SharePoint data to track progress and value delivered.
• Explain technical work in plain language, so that non-technical colleagues understand what has been built and why it matters.

Ways of Working

• Manage your own workload across several small pieces of work at once, prioritising sensibly and keeping the AI & Innovation Lead updated on progress and blockers.
• Build safely: follow Cornerstone's AI governance, information security and data protection standards, and only use approved tools and data.
• Learn continuously, teaching yourself new tools and techniques and sharing what you learn with the team.
• Take ownership of your self-study towards the BCS Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence, setting your own study plan and applying what you learn to your work, particularly in AI governance and responsible AI.
• Support health & safety, environmental, business continuity and information security obligations.

What Success Looks Like

By the end of the 12 months you will have delivered a portfolio of working automations and prototypes that measurably save time for the team and the business.

You will be trusted to take on a problem and deliver it end to end with little direction.

You will have built practical skills in AI-assisted development, automation and solution design.

You will have worked towards, and ideally achieved, the BCS Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Problem solving: you are an excellent problem solver who enjoys difficult, open-ended problems and can break them down into practical steps.
• Evidence of building: you have built something yourself, such as a script, app, website, game, automation or technical project, in any language or tool. Please include a link (for example to GitHub or a portfolio) or be ready to talk about it at interview.
• Quick learner: able to pick up new tools, languages and concepts quickly and independently.
• Independence and ownership: self-motivated, happy to take responsibility for a piece of work and see it through, and able to judge when to ask for help.
• Curiosity about AI: already using AI tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude or Cursor to learn, build or get things done, and keen to go further.
• Communication: clear written and verbal communication, including explaining technical ideas simply.
• Digital confidence: comfortable with Microsoft 365, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Responsible approach: a sensible, trustworthy approach to handling data and following policies.

In return, we offer

• Competitive salary
• 30 days annual leave
• Competitive pension scheme
• Hybrid working (3 days per week in Theale)
• Retail and lifestyle discount

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is fundamental to our success. We strive to cultivate an inclusive environment where every employee feels valued, respected, and empowered. By embracing unique perspectives and experiences, we drive innovation and drive our organisation forward, therefore, we recognise the importance of welcoming applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We want to ensure everyone is able to present their best self throughout the recruitment process so if you require any adjustments, please let us know.