Applied AI Intern

About the role

Jem Labs, the internal AI team of Jem, a fast‑growing HR‑tech scale‑up in Cape Town, is looking for Applied AI Interns. You will embed directly into product teams and start shipping real AI solutions from day one.

Key responsibilities

• Work inside a Jem machine to solve real‑world team problems, not simulated tasks.
• Build and ship rapid prototypes that validate product ideas quickly.
• Develop on Jem Brain (internal intelligence layer) and Jem Mini (new payroll product).
• Create clean, usable front‑ends for the tools and demos you produce.
• Tackle unknown problems using cutting‑edge tooling that didn’t exist eighteen months ago.

Required profile

• Deep understanding of model internals – training, fine‑tuning, evaluation and failure analysis.
• Technical first mindset; strong fundamentals beyond prompt engineering.
• Fast, confident and opinionated with Claude Code or similar coding agents.
• Portfolio of side projects, shipped work or a repo you’re proud of.
• First‑principles thinking, mathematical instinct and ability to explain hard decisions simply.

Required skills

• Solid AI/ML fundamentals demonstrated through projects or coursework.
• Strong general technical fundamentals.
• Fluent, fast use of Claude Code or comparable coding agents.
• Evidence of self‑directed building (side projects, portfolio, shipped work).

What we offer

• Hybrid, flexible environment with at least four days a week onsite at 12 Dreyer Street, Claremont.
• R30,000 monthly stipend for the three‑month contract.
• Lunch provided four days a week, access to an EAP programme, and a MacBook Pro.
• Direct access to founders and senior colleagues who will mentor and challenge you.
• Potential permanent role after the internship for high performers.