Human-Centered AI Intern, AI & Behavior Change

Job Description

At Toyota Research Institute (TRI), we’re on a mission to improve the quality of human life. We’re developing new tools and capabilities to amplify the human experience. To lead this transformative shift in mobility, we’ve built a world-class team in Human-Centered AI, Human Interactive Driving, Automated Driving Advanced Development, Energy and Materials, Large Behavior Models, and Robotics.

This is a Summer 2026 paid 12-week internship opportunity. Please note that this internship will be a hybrid in-office role.

The Team

This internship opportunity falls within the Human Behavior and Carbon Neutrality Department of Human-Centered AI Division (HCAI). We are an integrated team of AI/ML researchers, behavioral scientists, and human-computer interaction researchers. At the core of our research, we aim to understand, simulate, and shape carbon-neutral behaviors and the technology that enables them.

The Internship

We are seeking a highly motivated and talented PhD research intern to join our team and push the envelope on human behavior change through the application of generative AI. The intern will collaborate with our interdisciplinary team of machine learning and behavioral scientists to develop and test novel, human-in-the-loop systems for accelerating and scaling behavior change technologies. The project will focus on a specific scope within this domain, with the goal of directly informing our broader behavior change research program. Additionally, the intern will engage in strategy discussions about how the research connects to business impact at Toyota and have the opportunity to prepare a manuscript for publication at a competitive venue.

Responsibilities

Scope a research project to align with our core research efforts.

Be the primary driver of the technical plan (e.g., study design, model development, systems architecture, analysis plan) with regular feedback from your mentor and teammates.

Execute the project using TRI resources.

Present the project’s approach and findings in research meetings to the Carbon Neutral Department, the HCAI Division, and TRI, as well as for stakeholders from Toyota business groups.

Our goal is that you end the internship with work that informs internal strategy and may be publishable in an academic journal or conference.

Qualifications

Enrolled in PhD degree program in human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence, or a related field.

Demonstrated interest in building systems/applications at the intersection of human-AI interaction and human behavior change.

Track record of executing research projects from start to finish.

Desire to work on challenging, open-ended research projects.

Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Desire to be part of a highly interdisciplinary team, and an understanding of how this will improve your work.

Desire to apply research skills and findings to real-world problems.

Demonstrated ability to work autonomously while soliciting feedback.

Interested in the topic space of carbon neutrality, electrified vehicles, and behavior change.

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $45 and $65/hour for California-based roles, and between $40 and $58/hour for Massachusetts-based roles. Base pay offered will depend on multiple individualized factors, including, but not limited to, business or organizational needs, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. TRI offers a generous benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, and paid time off benefits (including holiday pay and sick time). Additional details regarding these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

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TRI is fueled by a diverse and inclusive community of people with unique backgrounds, education and life experiences. We are dedicated to fostering an innovative and collaborative environment by living the values that are an essential part of our culture. We believe diversity makes us stronger and are proud to provide Equal Employment Opportunity for all, without regard to an applicant’s race, color, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, religion, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state or local laws.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.

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