AI & Automation Intern (Insurance Industry)

Job Description

About Company

Community Financial System, Inc. (CFSI) is a financial institution dedicated to providing customers with friendly, personalized, and high-quality financial services and products. Its retail division, Community Bank, N.A., operates over 200 customer facilities across Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Western Massachusetts. Beyond retail banking, CFSI also offers a comprehensive suite of services including commercial banking, wealth management, investment management, insurance and risk management, and benefit plan administration.

CFSI is committed to its employees, recognizing their vital role in serving customers. The company offers competitive compensation, excellent benefits, and professional development and advancement opportunities to ensure long and successful careers. As an equal-opportunity workplace and affirmative-action employer, CFSI celebrates and supports a diverse environment for the benefit of its employees, customers, and communities.

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Job Description: AI & Automation Internship (Insurance Industry Focus)

This internship offers a unique opportunity for a motivated student or early-career professional to contribute to innovation within the insurance industry by leveraging AI, automation, and modern development platforms.

Key Responsibilities:

The intern will play a crucial role in business development initiatives by:
• Researching, prototyping, and demonstrating AI-enabled applications designed to address key challenges and pain points for insurance brokers, carriers, and clients.

Focus Areas:
• AI Application Development: Building lightweight proof-of-concept (PoC) applications specifically tailored to insurance workflows. Examples include claims tracking, policy summarization, and client service automation.
• Process Automation: Utilizing orchestration platforms such as n8n and Azure AI Foundry to streamline repetitive tasks and significantly enhance operational efficiency.
• Business Use-Case Development: Identifying practical opportunities where advanced tools like OpenAI and Claude can be applied to improve processes such as policy reviews, risk mitigation, claims processing, and the overall client experience.
• Rapid Prototyping: Leveraging development tools like Loveable, Visual Studio, and GitHub to quickly deliver and iterate on functional demonstrations and prototypes.
• Market Insights: Conducting research on current AI adoption trends within the insurance sector and proposing scalable solutions relevant to CFSI’s business units.

Learning Outcomes:

The intern will gain valuable hands-on experience and knowledge in:
• Applied AI/LLMs: Working with OpenAI, Claude, mastering prompt engineering, and understanding retrieval-augmented generation (RAG).
• Automation Platforms: Practical experience with n8n and Azure AI Foundry workflows.
• Full Stack & Collaboration Tools: Proficiency in Loveable, Visual Studio, and GitHub.
• Industry Knowledge: A deep understanding of insurance operations, risk management principles, and compliance considerations.
• Business Development: Skills in presenting AI solutions effectively to both internal stakeholders and external partners.

Key Deliverables:
• 2-3 AI app prototypes, with a focus on claims, policy, or customer service.
• A comprehensive playbook outlining AI business development opportunities specifically for the insurance sector.

Qualifications:
• Must be equivalent to a Junior or Senior class level.
• A 3.0 overall GPA is preferred.
• Coursework towards degree completion in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Business Information Systems, or a related area of study is preferred.
• Proficiency in using menu-driven software, along with Word and Excel programs.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Possession of good organizational and research skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
• Strong communication skills.
• Commitment to providing excellent customer service.
• Resourcefulness in supporting various projects and tasks as needed.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently with team members.
• All applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

Compensation:
• Minimum: USD $16.00/Hr.
• Maximum: USD $19.67/Hr.

Other Job Information:
• Physical Requirements: The role may require standing, walking, or sitting; using hands and fingers; handling, feeling, reaching; speaking and hearing. Occasional lifting/moving up to 25 pounds may be required. Specific vision abilities include close vision and the ability to focus. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities.
• Equal Opportunity Employer: Community Bank System, Inc. is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer, embracing diversity without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with a disability will be provided upon request to the Human Resources Department.