AI Research Intern for Climate and Disaster Risk Analytics

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is seeking an AI Research Intern for Climate and Disaster Risk Analytics in Manila, Philippines. The intern will support AI-driven research to enhance climate and disaster risk analytics, contributing to digital platforms like the Climate & Disaster Risk Explorer. Responsibilities include researching AI methods, assessing datasets, and developing technical documentation. Candidates should be enrolled in a relevant master's or PhD program and possess foundational knowledge in AI and data analytics.
The Information Technology Department (ITD) at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) plays a crucial role in advancing digital solutions for development, with this internship being specifically within the Digital for Development Operations Division (ITOP). The AI Research Intern for Climate and Disaster Risk Analytics internship focuses on supporting AI-driven research to strengthen climate and disaster risk analytics in the Asia and Pacific region, where timely and evidence-based decision support is increasingly critical. The intern will contribute to advancing ADB's digital platforms, such as the Climate & Disaster Risk Explorer, by applying AI, machine learning, and advanced data analytics to large-scale climate, geospatial, and disaster datasets. The role emphasizes methodological rigor, data readiness, and Responsible AI to enhance risk-informed planning and decision-making across developing member countries. The intern's responsibilities include conducting research on AI and machine learning methods relevant to climate and disaster risk analytics, such as pattern detection, predictive modeling, computer vision, natural language processing, and geospatial AI. They will explore how AI techniques could enhance risk analytics and decision-support capabilities within platforms like the ADB Climate & Disaster Risk Explorer, covering data integration, risk characterization, and scenario analysis. The role also involves reviewing and assessing various datasets for suitability in AI-based research and modeling, and developing research notes, technical summaries, or proof-of-concept analyses documenting AI approaches, assumptions, limitations, and potential applications. Furthermore, the intern will examine Responsible AI considerations, including transparency, bias, uncertainty, data governance, and human oversight, and support internal knowledge sharing through presentations or briefings. The assignment is for 11 weeks, starting in June 2026, and is located at ADB Headquarters in Manila, Philippines. Expected outcomes include an AI research brief or technical notes outlining promising AI methods and their potential applications, along with supporting documentation or exploratory analyses. Educationally, candidates must be currently enrolled in a master's or PhD program in data science, artificial intelligence, computer science, statistics, engineering, climate science, or a related quantitative discipline. Relevant experience and other requirements include a strong interest in applied AI research for climate change or disaster risk management, foundational knowledge of machine learning and data analytics, clear communication skills, ability to work in multicultural environments, preferably 2-3 years of professional experience, excellent English communication skills, and the ability to carry research tasks through published working papers. The primary location is Asian Development Bank Headquarters-Philippines-Manila within the Information Technology Department, Digital for Development Operations Division, and is categorized as an Internship at the Intern level. Key skills and competencies include Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Climate Change, Disaster Risk Management, Geospatial AI, Predictive Modeling, Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, and Responsible AI.