AI is one of the fastest-growing technologies globally. Its applications range from self-driving cars to language translation, to even blog post writing. Understanding how it works is becoming a key skill across fields like robotics, finance, and medicine, especially if you’re a high schooler applying to college soon. For high school students curious about artificial intelligence, pre-college summer programs offer training in machine learning, data science, and AI applications.
Many of the programs in the list below are run by top universities and research labs, giving students access to experts in the field. Beyond coding, they explore AI’s role in areas like natural language processing, computer vision, and automation. Some programs also tackle questions like AI ethics and bias, helping you understand how technology is shaping society.
To help you get started with AI, we’ve compiled a list of 15 Artificial Intelligence (AI) pre-college summer programs for high school students!
15 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Pre-College Summer Programs for High School Students
1. Pre-College AI Scholars at Carnegie Mellon University
Location: Carnegie Mellon University
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: June 21 – July 19
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors, at least 16 by June 21.
The AI Scholars Program at Carnegie Mellon University gives you hands-on experience with artificial intelligence. You will work with CMU faculty and graduate researchers, participating in coding workshops and AI-driven research projects. The curriculum covers neural networks, natural language processing, and computer vision, helping you build technical skills while exploring AI ethics and societal impact.
Through algorithm design and machine learning applications, you will gain practical experience in developing and testing AI models. The program concludes with a certificate of completion, recognizing your work in applied AI research.
2. Stanford AI4ALL | Stanford HAI
Location: Virtual, with the possibility of being on campus.
Cost/Stipend: $4,000. Financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: January 24
Program Dates: June 18 – July 2
Eligibility: Open to current 9th-grade students (that is students who will be rising 10th-graders during the summer)
The Stanford AI4ALL program is a three-week online experience where you will learn AI concepts through lectures, research projects, and mentorship from Stanford graduate students and postdocs. Hosted by the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI, the program focuses on ethical AI development and its impact on society.
You will work in small groups to apply AI to fields like medicine, poverty reduction, and disaster response. The curriculum emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and real-world problem-solving, helping you develop technical skills while exploring responsible AI applications.
3. Data Science: The AI Journey at the Berkeley Coding Academy
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $2,199
Application Deadline: Not specified. Contact Corey Wade for details.
Program Dates: July 14 – August 1
Eligibility: Open to current 9th-grade students (that is students who will be rising 10th-graders during the summer)
Data Science: The AI Journey program at UC Berkeley provides high school students with a hands-on introduction to machine learning, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics. You will refine your Python programming skills, develop machine learning models, and work with large datasets, applying statistical and computational techniques to real-world problems.
Projects are tailored to individual skill levels, allowing for personalized learning and practical application. Students also receive lifetime access to a repository of Berkeley coding videos and notebooks for continued study. The program concludes with a blockchain-authenticated certificate, recognizing participants’ achievements in data science and AI.
4. RAISE at MIT
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: Varies according to the course
Program Dates: Varies according to the course
Eligibility: High school students for select programs (some programs are also open to Middle school students).
The Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education (RAISE) initiative offers interactive tutorials and applications for self-paced AI learning. You will explore topics in robotics, machine learning, and computer vision through hands-on projects designed to build foundational AI knowledge.
One featured tool, Doodle Bot, introduces robotics, Arduino programming, and machine learning, helping you understand hardware fundamentals through a Creative AI platform used in STEM workshops across the U.S. and Mexico. Another resource, Personal Image Classifier (PICaboo), guides you through building a custom AI-driven image classification model integrated into an interactive game.
5. Wharton Data Science Academy
Location: University of Pennsylvania campus, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,799. Need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: April 2
Program Dates: July 13 – August 2
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 & 11 with a minimum 3.3 unweighted GPA and a strong background in math and coding.
The Wharton Data Science Academy is a two-week intensive program where you will learn data analysis, visualization, and machine learning techniques. The curriculum covers data wrangling, statistical modeling, and AI fundamentals, with a focus on developing proficiency in the R programming language.
Designed for students with strong math and coding backgrounds, the program emphasizes theoretical learning rather than hands-on projects. However, you will have the opportunity to engage with Wharton graduate students and teaching assistants, gaining insights into core data science concepts and their applications.
6. NYU Tandon’s Machine Learning Program
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,050
Application Deadline: US Residents May 2; International Applicants: April 15
Program Dates: Session 1: June 16 – June 27; Session 2: July 7 – July 18; Session 3: July 28 – August 8
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old
Hosted by NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering, this program introduces you to machine learning (ML), focusing on core principles and real-world applications. You will explore video and voice recognition, autonomous systems, real-time monitoring, and medical AI technologies, applying ML techniques to solve societal challenges.
The curriculum covers neural networks, cross-validation, and linear regression, alongside foundational coursework in logic, computer science, mathematics, and data analysis. Designed for students with prior programming experience who have completed Algebra 2 & Trigonometry, this program emphasizes problem-solving and technical skill development in ML.
7. MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: March 3 – 31
Program Dates: July 7 – August 3
Eligibility: High school students who are freshmen, sophomores, or juniors
The Beaver Works Summer Institute at MIT is a four-week, project-based STEM program where you will dive into artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics. Through hands-on workshops, you’ll apply AI techniques to policy analysis, autonomous systems, and Serious Games, sharpening your coding and problem-solving skills.
This program is all about teamwork and real-world challenges. You’ll work with peers, get mentorship from experts, and tackle projects that push your technical and creative thinking. Whether you’re building autonomous robots or experimenting with AI-driven simulations, you’ll leave with practical experience and a better understanding of how AI is shaping the world.
8. Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research Lab (BAIR) High School Summer Program, University of California, Berkeley
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: April 30
Program Dates: July 8 – 12
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10 to 12
The BAIR High School Summer Program gives you a hands-on introduction to AI and machine learning, combining lectures, coding projects, and collaborative research. You’ll work alongside BAIR researchers and UC Berkeley graduate students, applying AI techniques to real-world challenges while learning about neural networks, data analysis, and model development.
Beyond building AI models, this program also explores the ethical side of AI, how bias affects algorithms, how AI decisions impact society, and what responsible development looks like. Through coding, research, and discussions, you’ll gain technical skills while thinking critically about AI’s role in the world.
9. Artificial Intelligence – Oxford Summer Courses
Location: Oxford University campus, United Kingdom
Cost: £6,995 – £8,595
Application Deadline: Not specified
Program Dates: Session I: July 6 – 19; Session II: July 13 – 26; Session III: July 20 – August 2; Session IV: August 3 – 16
Eligibility: 16 & 17 year old students
Oxford Summer Courses offers a two-week Artificial Intelligence program in Cambridge for students aged 16-17. You’ll gain hands-on experience in AI techniques and software development, focusing on coding with Python, machine learning fundamentals, and data analysis.
Through seminars and small-group discussions, you’ll work with experts to build AI models, develop algorithms, and work on real-world applications. The program follows a university-style format, requiring you to complete independent essays and problem sets with faculty feedback, helping you refine your problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
10. Brown Pre-College Program – Introduction to ML & AI with Python
Location: Brown University campus, Providence, RI
Cost: $6,134 (commuter), $8,006 (residential).
Application Deadline: May (Tentatively, based on previous years). You can check for updates here.
Program Dates: June 23 – July 18
Eligibility: Rising 9th graders. While not a requirement, algebra, and pre-calculus are recommended.
Brown University’s Intro to Machine Learning & AI is designed to give you a technical foundation in AI and big data analytics without requiring heavy math. You’ll explore computing technologies, ML techniques, and real-world applications, learning how AI is used across different industries.
The course is discussion-based, with assignments that challenge you to think critically about AI concepts. While you’ll cover programming and algorithm design, this isn’t a project-heavy program, making it a great choice if you want to build a strong conceptual understanding before diving into hands-on work.
11. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging’s Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Dates: June 16 – 27
Eligibility: Open to high school students over 14 years old, U.S. residents, with student leads requiring a computer science background and California residency, including undergraduate students.
The Stanford AIMI Program is a two-week virtual experience focused on how AI is transforming healthcare. You’ll work with Stanford faculty on medical image analysis, diagnostic tool development, and predictive modeling, gaining hands-on experience with AI-driven medical research.
The program blends theory and practice, helping you develop skills in Python programming, data preprocessing, deep learning for medical imaging, and model evaluation. If you’re interested in leadership, you can take on a Student Lead role, coordinating projects and receiving mentorship.
12. SHARP! Program
Location: University of Illinois, Chicago
Cost: $3,500; financial need scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: February 3
Program Dates: June 16 – July 11
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program.
The SHARP program at the University of Illinois Chicago is a four-week summer research experience for rising high school juniors interested in AI, robotics, and biomedical engineering in healthcare. You’ll work in research labs, gaining hands-on experience in medical imaging, robotic-assisted surgery, and AI-driven diagnostics while being mentored by scientists.
The program includes lectures, career mentorship, and biomedical workshops, helping you develop skills in data analysis, programming, and biomedical technology applications. You’ll also participate in a suturing lab and robotic surgery simulations, getting practical exposure to medical procedures. The experience concludes with a research presentation at the SHARP! Symposium, and as a SHARP! Ambassador, you can lead biomedical innovation teams and support STEM outreach in underserved communities.
13. Machine Learning for Beginners at Purdue University
Location: Virtual
Cost: $200
Application Deadline: Mid-May (Tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: June (Tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: 10th to 12th graders who have taken high school algebra 2. Calculus 1 is recommended but not required.
Purdue University’s Machine Learning for Beginners is a five-day crash course supported by the National Science Foundation, covering the fundamentals of AI, Python programming, regressions, pattern recognition, and image processing. You’ll gain hands-on experience in writing Python scripts, analyzing data, and applying ML techniques to robotics and software development.
This program is designed for students with limited time who want a quick but structured introduction to AI and machine learning. While it builds a strong foundation, those interested in advanced research or real-world applications can extend their learning through longer programs, independent projects, or internships.
14. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: $2,990 for Individual Research Program, $5,900 for Premium Research & Publication Program, $8,900 for Research Fellowship.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Summer Cohort I application deadline is April 13!
Program Dates: Summer: June – August, fall: September – December, winter: December – February, spring: March – June.
Eligibility: Open to current high school students with a minimum 3.3 unweighted GPA; no prior knowledge required.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler.
The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as AI, ML, data science, psychology, physics, economics, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
15. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. You can apply here.
Application Deadline: The summer early admission application deadline is March 23!
Program Dates: Varies according to cohort.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard graduate students, offers AI programs for high school students. If you’re new to AI, machine learning, or data science, the AI Scholars Program provides a 10-session boot camp covering Python programming, data preprocessing, model training, and real-world AI applications like image recognition and NLP.
For more advanced students, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase offers 1:1 mentorship with experts from top universities. You’ll work on an individual AI project, applying techniques like neural networks, deep learning, and reinforcement learning. The program also includes support from an in-house publication team to help you publish in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
Image source: Carnegie Mellon University
