[IMDA Internship Programme 2027] Digital Forum of Small States (DFOSS) AI Playbook (January - June)

IMDA; Singapore; On-site; SGD 10,000 - 15,000; Part time

Job summary

IMDA invites interns to join the International Group for the January to June 2027 cycle. The role focuses on researching AI governance, synthesizing input from delegations, and drafting content for policy chapters.

You will engage with government representatives and contribute to shaping Singapore's digital economy strategy. The internship offers exposure to international tech policy, governance frameworks, and publication workflows, with practical opportunities to advance in-depth policy

Qualifications

• Ability to extract themes and regulatory approaches across jurisdictions.
• Strong writing skills to translate jargon into actionable guidance.
• Sensitivity to cultural and diplomatic nuances in policy discussions.
• Analytical mindset for comparing policy outcomes and adaptability.

Responsibilities

• Conduct policy research and environmental scanning on global AI governance.
• Synthesize stakeholder input and case study submissions from government partners.
• Draft and edit chapters for the v2.0 DFOSS AI Playbook update.

Skills

Policy analysis

Technical writing

Diplomatic communication

Critical thinking

Job description

At IMDA, our vision is to drive a dynamic digital economy with global footprint. By being part of our internship programme, you will have the opportunity to learn and contribute in curated project deliverables, experience IMDA’s culture and network with the minds behind shaping the nation’s dynamic digital economy.

We are looking for interns to join the International Group for our January to June 2027 internship cycle.

Scope of Work

The DFOSS AI Playbook serves as a living repository and framework for small states to navigate AI adoption, safety, governance, and societal impacts. Following the foundational release of iteration 1.0, version 2.0 aims to expand international policy case studies, incorporate emerging tech trends (e.g., frontier AI safety, generative AI assurance, and sovereign AI infrastructure), and refine actionable guidance for member states with varying regulatory capacities.

The intern will support the project team in research, stakeholder input synthesis, and document drafting:

• Policy Research & Environmental Scanning - Conduct comparative research on recent global AI governance frameworks, national AI strategies, and technical safety standards applicable to small states.
• Stakeholder Synthesis & Consultations - Review and synthesize input, survey feedback, and case study submissions from participating DFOSS delegate countries and multilateral partners.
• Content Drafting & Editing - Assist in drafting, editing, and formatting specific chapters/ modules for the v2.0 update.

Learning Outcomes

• International Tech Policy & Governance: Deepened understanding of global AI governance dynamics, multilateral tech diplomacy, and the unique policy trade-offs faced by small states.
• Policy Analysis & Synthesis: Enhanced ability to critically analyze complex national policies, extract actionable insights, and summarize heterogeneous qualitative data into clear frameworks.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication: Practical experience synthesizing feedback from international government representatives and communicating tech policy concepts concisely for high-level officials.
• Project Management & Publication Workflows: Exposure to managing the lifecycle of an international knowledge product, from research to drafting and final stakeholder reviews.

Skills Required

• Policy Analysis & Comparative Legal Research - Skill in extracting key themes, regulatory approaches, and implementation challenges across diverse jurisdictions into concise comparative tables or briefing notes.
• Advanced Professional Writing & Technical Editing - Transforming jargon-heavy technical literature into clear, actionable advice for non-technical policymakers.
• Cultural & Diplomatic Sensitivity - Exercising tact when synthesizing feedback or highlighting gaps in national policies to ensure communications remain respectful and inclusive.
• Critical Thinking & Nuance - Moving beyond superficial summaries to evaluate why a particular policy or sandbox worked in one country and whether it is scalable or adaptable for a smaller state.