Artificial Intelligence Innovation Development Program (AIIDP) - Start Date: July 12, 2027

Cigna; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cigna Group is launching the AI Innovation Development Program (AIIDP) for recent graduates and early-career professionals. Associates rotate through three 12-month rotations in the AI Innovation Office to design, prototype, and deliver AI-powered solutions in real healthcare settings.

You will work across product development, AI engineering, data science, and analytics, partnering with business leaders to identify opportunities and translate ideas into measurable outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field or equivalent with software experience.
• Experience with data and programming via coursework/projects.
• Familiarity with Python, SQL, or similar data tools.
• Exposure to analytics, ML, or AI concepts through projects or coursework.
• Demonstrated use of AI-assisted tools to prototype and iterate.

Responsibilities

• Build AI-powered solutions by applying analytics and ML to real healthcare and business problems.
• Own pieces of the product development lifecycle from framing to prototype to iteration.
• Translate ideas into working solutions with cross-functional partners.
• Use AI tools to accelerate prototyping, coding, and experimentation.
• Operate in ambiguous environments, testing ideas and learning quickly.
• Develop solutions with real-world impact using healthcare data under governance.

Skills

Bachelor's degree

Data & programming

Python/SQL

Analytics/ML awareness

AI builder tools

Problem solving & communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/SE/AI/Data Science

Tools

Cursor

Claude

GitHub Copilot

Lovable

Job description

AI Innovation Development Program (AIIDP) - Full-Time Associate

At The Cigna Group, data, analytics, and AI shape decisions that improve health outcomes, make care more affordable, and help build a healthcare system that works better for everyone.

The AI Innovation Development Program is a program designed to support your transition from academia to industry. This program is ideal for recent graduates and early-career professionals who are curious, motivated, and eager to apply their academic knowledge in a real-world setting.

Associates in this program move through three, 12-month rotations within the AI Innovation Office, a small, high-impact team operating in a fast-moving, R&D-style environment to design, prototype, and deliver AI-powered solutions in real healthcare settings.

This is a build-first experience for individuals who enjoy creating, testing, and iterating, often with incomplete information. It is best suited for those who want to actively build AI solutions, not just support or observe development efforts. The program is designed for AI product builders who can take ideas from concept to working solutions, not just analyze them.

The Program

• Experience roles within the AI Innovation Office, gaining experience across the full lifecycle of AI product development - from idea to prototype to real-world use
• Work in a fast-moving environment where you help identify high-value problems, rapidly test ideas, and iterate based on feedback
• Contribute across both technical and product dimensions, including problem framing, prototyping, and solution refinement
• Build capability through hands-on experience, mentorship, and real-world problem solving
• Partner with mentors, coaches, and program leaders who support your growth and development

This is a build-first experience for individuals who enjoy creating, testing, and iterating. It is best suited candidates who are energized by creating innovative solutions, working directly with stakeholders, and seeing their ideas move from concept to production while shaping the future of AI-enabled products

This program prepares you for a unique role at the intersection of Product development, Generative AI, AI engineering, Data Science, and Data Analytics. As an AI Product Builder, you will work in a forward-deployed model, partnering closely with business leaders and domain experts to identify opportunities, prototype solutions, and translate emerging AI capabilities into measurable business outcomes. Associates gain hands-on experience designing, building, testing, and refining AI-powered products that address real-world healthcare and business challenges

What You Will Do

• Build AI-powered solutions by applying analytics, data science, and machine learning techniques to real healthcare and business problems
• Own pieces of the product development lifecycle - from problem framing to prototype to iteration based on user and stakeholder feedback
• Translate ideas into working solutions by collaborating with cross-functional partners to turn concepts into tools that can be tested and used
• Use AI tools to accelerate prototyping, coding, and experimentation while building strong technical instincts
• Operate in environments where problems are not fully defined, requiring you to test ideas, learn quickly, and adapt in real time
• Develop solutions with real-world impact by working with healthcare data under appropriate governance and understanding how your work affects customers and patients

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Information Systems, Data Science, or a related technical field. Equivalent quantitative degrees with relevant software development experience will also be considered.
• Experience working with data and/or programming through coursework, projects, internships, or extracurricular activities
• Familiarity with Python, SQL, or similar tools for working with data or building applications
• Exposure to analytics, machine learning, or AI concepts through coursework or projects
• Demonstrated track record using AI-assisted builder tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude, GitHub Copilot, Lovable) to accelerate rapid prototyping and 0 to 1 product development, with examples from academic, professional, and/or personal projects; can explain where AI helped, where you chose not to use it, and how you validated outputs.
• Strong problem-solving skills and curiosity, with a willingness to work in fast-moving or ambiguous environments
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with both technical and non-technical partners
• Demonstrated initiative, ownership, and interest in building solutions that have real-world impact

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