If you’re interested in technology and AI, participating in a summer program focused on artificial intelligence can be a valuable opportunity. AI programs for high school students allow you to develop technical skills, engage in hands-on projects, and gain experience in diverse areas of artificial intelligence, including machine learning, data science, and neural networks. These programs provide a structured environment where you can build a deeper understanding of AI concepts, explore various applications of AI, and learn to solve real-world problems.
By joining these programs, you can enhance your expertise in specific AI topics, pick up new coding languages, and gain insights into the evolving AI field. You may also have the chance to work alongside industry professionals, network with peers, and engage in research projects, all of which could be helpful for future academic and career opportunities.
Here is a list of the 15 best AI summer programs for high school students accepting applications for 2024-2025.
15 Best AI Summer Programs for High School Students in 2024-2025
Veritas AI offers a range of AI programs for ambitious high school students, including close-group, collaborative learning, and customized project pathways with 1:1 mentorship. Designed and run by Harvard graduate students & alumni, the AI Scholars program focuses on the fundamentals of Python and key AI concepts like regression, natural language processing, and neural networks through real-world group projects. The AI Fellowship program provides individualized mentorship to create unique projects across diverse fields such as medicine, finance, sports, environmental science, and mental health.
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science
Location: Virtual (Attend from anywhere in the world)
Eligibility: AI Scholars require no experience, while AI Fellowship needs prior AI or Python knowledge.
Application Deadline: Winter cohort deadline is December 1, 2024.
Program Dates: AI Scholars runs for 10 weeks, while the AI Fellowship lasts 12-15 weeks, with multiple sessions available throughout the year.
Fee: Need-based financial aid is available
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs across various subject areas, where you can choose between quantitative and qualitative research. Upon selecting a subject track, you will be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar who will guide you in crafting a 20-page, university-level research paper. The program is designed to develop your research skills and provide valuable feedback on your work.
Throughout the process, you will also receive letters of recommendation, which can benefit your college applications. Additionally, the research paper you produce is intended to meet the standards for prestigious academic journals, further enhancing your educational profile.
Subject Areas: Data Science, Machine Learning, AI and more
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67 GPA), primarily 10th/11th graders. Specific tracks may require formal prerequisites.
Application Deadline: Summer cohort: May 21, 2024, Fall cohort: September 25, 2024
Program Dates:
- Summer Seminar: June 24, 2024 - September 2, 2024
- Fall Seminar: October 23, 2024 - February 19, 2025
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to develop independent AI research projects. You will receive personalized guidance, immersive mentoring, and writing support to help you produce college-level research papers. The program culminates in a symposium where you can present your work. You’ll also have the opportunity for publication, along with a certificate for your participation.
Subject Areas: Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computational Biology
Location: Remote
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 GPA
Application Deadline: The Winter Cohort II application deadline is December 29, 2024
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, with the upcoming Winter Cohort 2024 starting December 16, 2024.
Cost: Individual Research Program: $2,800; Premium Research & Publication Program: $5,400; Research Fellowship: $8,900; Need-based financial aid is available.
The AI Scholar Program at Carnegie Mellon University offers high school students an immersive experience in AI. You’ll work with CMU faculty and graduate students on coding workshops and research projects while exploring advanced topics like neural networks, natural language processing, and computer vision. The program balances technical skills with ethical considerations, preparing you for future academic and career pursuits in AI. By the end, you'll receive a certificate of completion recognizing your participation and achievements.
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Analytics
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA (Hybrid)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with strong academic records and a passion for AI
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024
Program Dates: June 17 – August 2, 2024
Cost: Free (fully funded)
Stanford AI4ALL is a 3-week online program co-organized by the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI, in partnership with AI4ALL. It combines lectures, research projects, and mentorship to explore ethical AI development and its societal impacts. You’ll work in small groups with Stanford graduate students and postdocs, exploring AI applications in areas like medicine, poverty reduction, and disaster response. The program emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and real-world challenges in AI.
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA (Virtual)
Eligibility: Current 9th-grade students (rising 10th graders in summer) from underrepresented backgrounds in AI and related fields
Application Deadline: Applications opened on January 16, 2024; deadline March 24, 2024
Program Dates: July 8 - 26, 2024
Fee: $4,000
Financial Assistance: Financial aid is available
Offered by NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering, this program introduces you to the fundamentals of Machine Learning (ML). You’ll explore topics like video and voice recognition, autonomous vehicles, real-time monitoring, and medical technologies. The curriculum covers core ML principles such as neural networks, cross-validation, and linear regression, along with problem-solving techniques to address societal challenges. Through courses in logic, computer science, math, and data analysis, you’ll build a strong foundation in ML. This program is great if you have prior programming experience and have completed Algebra 2 & Trigonometry.
Subject Areas: Machine Learning, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence
Location: NYU Tandon University, Brooklyn, NY
Eligibility: Students aged 14 and older, have completed Algebra 2 or equivalent, and have some programming experience
Application Deadline: April 20, 2024
Program Dates:
- Session 1: June 17- June 28, 2024
- Session 2: July 08- July 19, 2024
- Session 3: July 29- August 9, 2024
Cost: $4,100 (tuition) + $308 per week (housing); additional costs may include application fees, meals, etc.
Financial Assistance: No scholarships or aid options available
Harvard’s Pre-College AI program offers a comprehensive introduction to AI through lectures, hands-on projects, and research activities. You’ll develop AI models and analyze their applications in various sectors, while also exploring the societal impacts of AI. The program encourages critical thinking about AI's role in the modern world. You'll learn from Harvard faculty and AI professionals, engage in research contributing to ongoing studies, and earn a certificate of participation to recognize your achievements.
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Computational Models
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (Hybrid)
Eligibility: High school grads entering college in 2025/2026, 16+ by June 22, 2024, not 19 before July 31, 2024, and have completed calculus with basic Python knowledge.
Application Deadline: Early – February 20, 2024; Regular – March 26, 2024.
Program Dates: Session 1: July 23–July 5, 2024; Session 2: July 7–July 19, 2024; Session 3: July 21–August 2, 2024.
Fee: $4,950
Financial Assistance: Need-based financial aid is available
Columbia’s pre-college summer program offers over 70 courses, including data science and machine learning tracks for AI enthusiasts. You’ll learn real-world applications of AI, progressing to hands-on coding with Python and machine learning algorithms. Taught by industry experts, the program builds foundational skills in data-driven problem-solving and AI techniques, ideal for students familiar with basic AI concepts.
Subject Areas: Data Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence
Location: Columbia University, Manhattan, NY (In-person and Virtual)
Eligibility: Students in grades 11 and 12
Application Deadline: April 1, 2024
Program Dates:
- In-person Session 1: June 24- July 12, 2024
- In-person Session 2: July 16- August 2, 2024
- Virtual Session 1: July 1- July 12, 2024
- Virtual Session 2: July 15- July 26, 2024
Cost: Residential $12,449, Commuter $6,300, Online $3,960.
Financial Assistance: Need-based scholarships are available
Berkeley’s Data Science to AI program offers you a chance to dive into Machine Learning, AI, and big data. You’ll strengthen your Python skills, build and score machine learning models, and analyze big data. Projects are tailored to your skill level, ensuring a personalized experience. You’ll also gain lifetime access to over 100 Berkeley coding videos and notebooks. Upon completion, you’ll earn a blockchain-authenticated certificate.
Subject Areas: Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Science
Location: Berkeley Coding Academy, Virtual
Eligibility: Students aged 12–18
Application Deadline: April 2024
Program Dates: June 10 - 28, 2024
Cost: $2,495
Financial Assistance: Need-based scholarships are available
Stanford Pre-College Summer Institutes (Artificial Intelligence) offers a 10-day intensive AI course. You will learn supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning algorithms. The course covers mathematical concepts such as linear algebra, calculus, and statistics. It also enhances your Python programming skills. Additionally, you will explore AI applications in healthcare through Stanford’s Summer Research Internship. A certificate of completion is awarded at the end.
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA (Virtual)
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 with beginner-level Python proficiency
Application Deadline: March 29, 2024
Program Dates:
- Session 1: June 17, 2024 - June 28, 2024
- Session 2: July 8, 2024 - July 19, 2024
Fee: $3,050
Financial Assistance: Need-based financial aid is available (deadline April 5, 2024)
The Beaver Works Summer Institute at MIT is a four-week, project-based STEM program that allows you to dive deep into advanced topics like Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and robotics. Through hands-on workshops, you’ll explore applications such as policy analysis, self-driving cars, and Serious Games. The program is designed to foster diversity, collaboration, and networking, providing a supportive environment where you can build technical skills, work on team-based projects, and connect with peers who share your interests. With mentorship from experts, you’ll gain real-world experience in tackling complex engineering and AI challenges.
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Serious Games, Autonomous Systems
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Eligibility: High school students with a strong aptitude for STEM
Application Deadline: March 31, 2024
Program Dates: July 8, 2024 – August 4, 2024
Cost: Free
Ladder Internships is a selective virtual program offering high school students the chance to work with startups on real-world projects. Throughout the program, you will receive support and guidance from your managers, who will work with you individually or in a group, depending on the project. At the end of your internship, you’ll present your work, showcasing your contributions and the skills you’ve developed.
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Startups, Nonprofits
Location: Virtual (Work from anywhere in the world)
Eligibility: High school students and gap-year students
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year (Winter deadline 24 November 2024)
Program Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts; summer cohort typically June - August
Fee: Starting at $2,490
Financial Assistance: Need-based financial aid is available.
The BAIR High School Summer Program offers an immersive experience in AI and machine learning. You’ll participate in lectures, hands-on projects, and collaborative research, guided by BAIR researchers and UC Berkeley graduate students. The curriculum covers fundamental AI concepts and advanced techniques, with applications across various industries. You’ll work on real-world projects, develop AI models, and contribute to research while considering the ethical implications of AI development.
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science
Location: Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley, CA (Virtual options available)
Eligibility: High school students with a strong interest in AI and related fields
Application Deadline: April 30, 2024
Program Dates: July 8 – July 12, 2024
Cost: Free
The AI4ALL Program offers an in-depth exploration of artificial intelligence through seminars, lab experiments, and collaborative projects. You’ll learn about AI algorithm development, and its theoretical foundations, and strengthen your technical and analytical skills. The program includes hands-on projects that apply AI concepts to real-world situations, allowing you to work on cutting-edge AI applications. You’ll collaborate with peers on innovative solutions, gain mentorship from leading experts in the field, and gain access to Princeton’s advanced AI research facilities.
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computational Theory
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ (Hybrid)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a strong interest in AI
Application Deadline: February 25, 2024
Program Dates: July 14 – August 3, 2024
Cost: Free (fully funded)
The University of Washington’s AI4ALL program offers you an introduction to AI concepts through online lectures, coding workshops, and collaborative projects. You will learn to build simple AI models and explore their applications in various industries, gaining practical experience in AI development and implementation. The program also includes seminars on the ethical implications of AI and discussions on future trends in the field, providing you with a well-rounded understanding of AI’s impact on society.
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA (Online)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a background in computer science
Application Deadline: February 20, 2024
Program Dates: July 10 – August 20, 2024
Cost: Free (scholarships available)
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.