The U.S. Coast Guard has partnered with NobleReach, a STEM education organization, to launch a 14-week AI and robotics internship program in Washington D.C., supporting the newly established Robotics and Autonomous Systems Program Executive Office. The fall 2025 program represents a strategic effort to integrate emerging technologies into national security operations while developing the next generation of defense-focused STEM talent.
What you should know: Five undergraduate and graduate students from AI, engineering, and science programs will work full-time on-site from September through December 2025.
- Students receive a $10,000 stipend and are eligible for university credit, subject to individual institution approval.
- The program targets real-world Coast Guard challenges across maritime security, environmental protection, and operational modernization.
Key focus areas: Interns will tackle three critical mission areas where AI and robotics can enhance Coast Guard operations.
- Search and rescue enhancement: Developing AI-based methods for object detection in maritime environments.
- Pollution response optimization: Assisting in the development of AI systems to assess oil spills and other environmental threats.
- Platform integration and data infusion: Analyzing current Coast Guard data and system integration challenges.
The bigger picture: This initiative reflects the Coast Guard’s broader push to modernize operations through advanced technology integration.
- Additional projects include data infrastructure development, AI/ML model support, large dataset management, and minimum viable products (MVP) development.
- If successful, the program will serve as a model for expanding STEM internship opportunities across federal agencies.
What they’re saying: Coast Guard leadership emphasizes the dual benefits of operational advancement and talent development.
- “The Coast Guard is harnessing the power of robotics and artificial intelligence to sharpen decision-making, accelerate operations, and modernize how we serve the Nation,” said Anthony Antognoli, Assistant Commandant and Program Executive Officer for Robotics and Autonomous Systems.
- “This program is about putting brilliant minds on the front lines of America’s security challenges,” said Linda Bixby, PhD., Executive Vice President for Academic Partnerships at NobleReach. “By pairing hands-on experience in AI and robotics with mentorship from the Coast Guard, we’re preparing a new generation of innovators who can think, build, and lead in service to the nation.”
Why this matters: The partnership addresses the critical intersection of national security modernization and STEM workforce development, potentially strengthening America’s technological edge in defense applications while providing students with hands-on experience in high-stakes problem-solving.
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