A collaborative initiative where students and AI experts work together to address real-world AI challenges.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday life. At the same time, there is growing interest in how AI can be developed and used in ways that are meaningful, responsible and beneficial for people living in the Arctic region.
Within Umeå University, this has led to a collaboration between the Arctic Centre and TAIGA – Centre for Transdisciplinary AI, and the development of the thematic area Arctic AI. Through this initiative, we bring together researchers, experts and students from different disciplines who want to explore how AI can support Arctic societies, environments and cultures. As part of this work, we are launching Externships on Arctic AI.
It's a flexible, primarily remote project-based collaboration where students work on a concrete Arctic AI–related topic under academic and professional mentorship.
Externships are designed to be accessible and inclusive:
* Students do not need to be physically present in Umeå
* No employment or formal exchange is required
* Can be combined with existing studies at the student’s home institution
* Open to students from all countries and universities.
At its core, the externship is a project‑based collaboration built around Arctic AI, where students and mentors work together in a flexible and largely remote format. The focus is on concrete projects, academic exchange and practical relevance, with support from TAIGA and the Arctic AI network.
As a student, you take part in a defined project related to Arctic AI, working in a transdisciplinary context where AI meets Arctic environments, societies and real‑world challenges. The externship is carried out primarily remotely and is designed to fit alongside your existing studies. Depending on your programme and home institution, it can be used as part of a course, an internship or a Master’s degree project.
You receive academic guidance and support from researchers and experts connected to TAIGA, and you are invited to take part in online meetings, expert sessions and exchanges with other students. If you have the opportunity to spend time in the Arctic during your externship, this is welcome, but travel funding cannot be guaranteed. In some cases, support may be available through your home institution, Erasmus+ or other mobility schemes.
Upon completion, you will receive a certificate of participation, which can be used at your home institution to support course requirements, internships or degree projects, according to local regulations.
As a mentor, the externship offers a flexible way to engage with motivated students working on Arctic AI–related topics. Mentors contribute by sharing expertise, helping to shape or discuss project ideas, and offering guidance through meetings or informal supervision during the externship period.
The model is deliberately lightweight: mentors are not expected to provide funding, employment or formal exchange arrangements. Instead, participation focuses on academic and professional exchange and on supporting students’ exploration of AI in Arctic contexts. Mentors also become part of a growing transdisciplinary and international network connected to TAIGA and Arctic AI.
Externships on Arctic AI have an open and ongoing application process. Both students and mentors are invited to register their interest at any time. The application focuses on describing your background, areas of interest and how you would like to engage in the externship. Students may suggest a project idea if they have one, but this is not required.
The externship model is deliberately flexible: projects can vary in scope and format, and participation does not require formal exchange agreements or dedicated funding.
The externship is open to students from a wide range of disciplines who are interested in AI in Arctic contexts, including (but not limited to) ecology, biology, plant science, anthropology, linguistics, law, social sciences, mathematics, medicine and health.
Some knowledge of AI is expected, though students do not need to be machine‑learning specialists. Programming skills are generally required, but some projects may involve standard AI tools with limited programming. Externships run for a minimum of three months, with longer periods encouraged.
When applying, students can either propose a project idea or ask to be matched with a project based on their background and interests.
[Link to student application – coming soon]
Mentors from academia or practice are invited to support student projects through knowledge sharing and academic or professional guidance. Engagement may include discussing project ideas, offering feedback or participating in meetings during the externship period.
Mentors are not expected to provide funding, employment or formal supervision arrangements. The focus is on intellectual exchange and contributing to an international, transdisciplinary Arctic AI community.
[Link to mentor application – coming soon]
