This year, we are delighted to host eleven amazing interns from across the UK and Turkey. They join us for an eight week programme where they each work on research projects related to AI engineering for electronics.
Learn more about them and their experiences so far:
"Over the past few weeks, this internship has been an incredible opportunity to apply my hardware and software skills to real-world research challenges. I have gained valuable experience across the engineering development process, deepening my understanding of how hardware and software can work together to deliver efficient computing solutions.
I have also expanded my knowledge of artificial intelligence, particularly Large Language Models (LLMs) and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and explored how these technologies can support engineering workflows. Alongside this, I have strengthened my programming skills in Python and C++ through automation, data analysis and software development.
One of my favourite aspects of the internship has been learning something new every day. Whether it is exploring a new technical concept, improving a piece of software or discussing ideas with researchers from different backgrounds, each day brings fresh challenges and opportunities. The team has been incredibly welcoming, fostering a collaborative environment that brings together expertise from engineering, computer science and physics.
I'm excited to continue contributing to the project in the weeks ahead!"
~ Mary Kong
"I have had a really fun time at APRIL. I've been able to develop my research skills and learn about the field of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). My project focuses on using Agents to extract results and materials from TENG literature. So far it has been a good mix of developing my software engineering skills and learning about a completely new area. My supervisors have been really helpful in guiding my research and answering any questions I have.
What I enjoy most about the work is having ownership, I can work at my own pace and make decisions about the direction of my project. Everyone at APRIL has been very helpful I felt very welcome on my first day and I was able to settle in quickly and get started on my research."
~ Sean Yalçın
"Although I have only been at the APRIL AI Hub for three weeks, the experience has already been incredibly rewarding. From the start, I have had the opportunity to apply my knowledge and skills I have developed at the university in a professional environment. It has been interesting to see how concepts I have learned academically are used in industry and to contribute to work that supports ongoing company projects.
One of the things I have enjoyed most about the internship is the balance between independent work and collaboration. I have had the opportunity to work both independently and alongside my fellow interns, which has made the experience both engaging and enjoyable.
A particular highlight so far has been working on design verification. It is an area I had not had the opportunity to explore before, so learning about it has been one of the most exciting parts of the internship. I have enjoyed gaining insight into the verification process and seeing how it plays a crucial role in producing reliable and high-quality designs.
Beyond the technical experience, one of my favourite parts of the internship has been getting to know the other interns and the wider team. Everyone has been very friendly and welcoming and activities such as our weekly Fun Fridays have helped create a supportive and enjoyable atmosphere. I am looking forward to continuing to develop my skills and taking on new challenges over the coming weeks!"
~ Elsa Wakfi
"APRIL so far has been a rewarding but very different experience. Before joining, I completed an internship as a Software Test Engineer at Kainos, and while APRIL sometimes feels similar to industry, it has also been a unique opportunity to work in a research-focused environment.
My project at APRIL is a multi-agent LLM tool that uses refined requirements files, processed from AMBA AXI and RISC-V specification documents, to generate verification plans and assess the coverage of those plans.
One of my favourite parts so far has been the pace of the work. It has been exciting to work quickly, choose my own tech stack, design decisions and models, and take ownership of my project.
Building test plans was easy to get to grips with, given my experience at Kainos, but building agents was initially a steep learning curve. My supervisors have continued to point me in the right direction during our weekly meetings, which has helped me develop my technical understanding and confidence.
Finally, the team at APRIL has been incredibly friendly and welcoming. I was quite nervous to join, especially as I started a week after the Google DeepMind interns, but the supportive environment, alongside the “Fun Fridays” organised by the operations team and PhD students, helped us quickly integrate as one big group of interns.
It has been great to experience a research environment in practice, and the opportunity has made me seriously consider completing a PhD rather than returning straight to industry."
~ Reanna McEldowney
"Being part of the APRIL AI Hub internship has been an incredible journey, beautifully blending the historic with the futuristic. It is a unique privilege to live and work in Edinburgh while simultaneously engaging with the absolute cutting edge of modern technology. It is deeply rewarding to actually work on these systems instead of just reading about them.
Still, my favourite part of the internship is the people. Spending time with the other interns and the research team has been wonderful. We support each other with difficult tasks in the lab, and we also have a great time exploring the city together after work. This friendly environment has made my time here truly unforgettable."
~ Egemen Yücel
