12 Best AI Summer Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student curious about technology and innovation, AI summer programs offer a structured way for you to explore the field beyond the school curriculum. AI programs let you gain experience, build technical skills, and see how artificial intelligence is applied in practical situations. Beyond learning, you will also get the chance to connect with mentors, professionals, and peers who share your interests. The best options, often offered by prestigious organizations, research institutions, and leading tech companies, provide you with a structured and supportive environment to dive into AI.
What are the benefits of an AI program?
AI programs let you work on projects that put both your creativity and technical skills to the test. You may develop machine learning models, work with natural language processing tools, design AI-driven applications, or explore robotics and data analysis. These experiences encourage problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork, helping you apply what you’ve learned in class to meaningful challenges. Many programs also come with mentorship from AI experts, opportunities to present your work, and even visits to tech companies or research labs. As a participant, you will build the confidence to take on coding, data management, and algorithm design tasks through practical skill-building opportunities.
To make the search easier for you, we have curated a list of the 12 best AI summer programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
1. Carnegie Mellon University’s AI Scholars
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; numbers are not officially disclosed.
Dates: June 20 – July 18
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are at least 16 years old and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Carnegie Mellon University AI Scholars program is a fully funded, merit-based opportunity for rising high school seniors seeking to build practical skills in artificial intelligence and computing. Over four weeks, you will engage in college-level coursework, research projects, faculty-led lectures, and sessions that introduce you to different areas of the tech industry. The program also includes structured college-preparation workshops covering admissions, financial aid, and student well-being. During the program, you will work on assignments focused on challenges in AI and present your work during a final capstone symposium. The experience also comes with mentorship and opportunities to interact with industry professionals, including visits to tech companies. Set up on a college campus, AI Scholars gives you early exposure to academic life while helping you build connections with mentors, professionals, and peers interested in technology.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12 – 15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment; deadlines vary by cohort: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can check details and apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship with Publication and Showcase accepts previous AI Scholars participants or those with some experience working with AI or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers a range of online programs for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence. If you are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science, you can choose the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, you will learn about the fundamentals of AI and data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another track for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. During this program, you will get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A key feature of this program is that it offers you access to the in-house publication team to help you secure publications in high school research journals. You can check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; $750 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 12 students/year
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Application deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and at least 17 years old by the start date
The Texas Tech University Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a seven-week residential research program that brings together a small group of highly motivated high school juniors and seniors. During the program, you will work closely with a faculty mentor on an independent research project in a field of your choice, which can include computer science or AI-related areas. Your day-to-day work will depend on your research focus, but may involve tasks such as data analysis, laboratory work, or reviewing academic literature. The program includes weekly seminars, group discussions, and field trips that expose you to different academic perspectives. By the end of the program, you will compile and submit a final written research report that reflects the work you completed during the summer.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote! You can participate in the program from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in high school who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities across a wide range of subject areas for high schoolers to explore. The program pairs you with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the program, you will have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as computer science, tech, physics, economics, data science, psychology, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: None apart from a ~$75 application fee (waivers available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~2.5% acceptance rate; 100 students selected each year
Dates: June 28 – August 8
Application deadline: December 10
Eligibility: High school juniors; check the recommended requirements here.
The Research Science Institute (RSI) program allows high school students to conduct research on the MIT campus. During the first week, you will attend college-level seminars covering topics in mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics. Then, you will engage in a five-week research experience to develop original individual projects under the direct mentorship of scientists and researchers in the Boston area. You will read current literature, run experiments, give a college and present, and deliver conference-style oral and written presentations of your findings. Your research can focus on artificial intelligence. Field trips to science and tech organizations are also part of the experience.
6. Princeton AI4ALL
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts (30 students in the past cohort)
Dates: July 9 – 30
Application deadline: April 9
Eligibility: Rising 11th-grade students who come from low-income backgrounds and live and attend high school in the U.S.
This free AI program offers rising 11th-grade students a three-week on-campus summer experience focused on applications of artificial intelligence. You will learn foundational AI concepts, explore how machine learning and data science work, and apply your knowledge through hands-on group projects using real-world data. The program also emphasizes the societal and ethical implications of AI, helping you think critically about its impact. You will receive mentorship from faculty and graduate students, participate in workshops, and engage in collaborative activities with peers who share your interests. This can be an opportunity to get a glimpse into college life and the world of AI research.
7. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: No tuition; $2,450 housing costs apply for residential students. A stipend is provided.
Acceptance rate: <5%
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: February 5
Eligibility: High school juniors, ages 16 and up, who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
This on-campus program for high school students offers research opportunities in STEM fields, including artificial intelligence and machine learning. During the program, you will join a research team at Stony Brook University and actively participate in projects, gaining hands-on experience with lab techniques, computational tools, and research methods. You will also attend faculty talks to learn about different STEM disciplines and take part in workshops designed to strengthen your research skills. The program culminates with the preparation and presentation of a research abstract and poster, allowing you to showcase your work and the knowledge you have gained over the summer.
8. Stanford University’s AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Application fee: $45 + program fee: $2,400; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~50 students/session
Dates: Session A: June 15 – 26 | Session B: July 6 – 17
Application deadline: February 20
Eligibility: U.S. high school students over the age of 14; preference is given to students with math/programming skills or experience with a healthcare project.
This two-week virtual program is designed to introduce high school students to the applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Following a project-focused curriculum, you will participate in foundational and technical lectures, mentored research activities, and collaborative group work to explore the role of AI in medicine. The program also provides structured interactions with Stanford student leaders, researchers, and external experts from academia, industry, government, and nonprofit organizations. You will work on applied AI and medicine research projects under the guidance of Stanford Student Leads and research mentors, developing technical and research skills. Upon completing the internship, you will receive a Certificate of Completion and the opportunity to continue engaging in AI and healthcare research throughout the academic year.
9. Stanford AI4ALL
Location: Virtual or at Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Online: $4,120 | Residential: $9,800; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Online: June 15 – 26 | Residential: July 19 – 31
Application deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Current 9th graders/rising 10th graders over the age of 14 by the start of the program
The Stanford University AI4ALL Summer Program is a three-week virtual and on-campus program designed to introduce you to artificial intelligence through lectures, hands-on projects, and personalized mentorship. During the program, you will explore how AI can be applied to real-world problems while gaining practical experience in coding, data analysis, and machine learning. Instruction covers areas such as natural language processing, robotics, computer vision, and medical AI. Additionally, the curriculum includes discussions on ethics and equity in AI systems. Graduate students, researchers, and industry professionals will provide guidance and mentorship throughout the program. Career panels and workshops will help you understand how AI research connects to academic and professional pathways.
10. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual or George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost: $25 application fee + $1,299 tuition; need-based waivers available
Acceptance rate: Selective; exact details not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school students over the age of 15 ASSIP offers virtual research internships in various fields, including AI and computer science.
Over eight weeks, you will work with a mentor on running experiments, examining data, and documenting your research. During the program, you will also develop scientific writing skills and learn about career paths through discussions with professors and STEM professionals. The program ends with a research symposium, where you will learn about all the research conducted at ASSIP over the summer. On completing the program, you will earn three college credits from George Mason University.
11. Stanford University’s AIMI Summer Health AI Bootcamp
Location: Virtual
Cost: Application fee: $45 + program fee: $2,000; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 50 students/session
Dates: Session A: June 15 – 26 | Session B: July 6 – 17
Application deadline: February 20; applications open on December 15.
Eligibility: U.S.-based high school students who are 14+
This virtual two-week bootcamp introduces high school students to the applications of AI and machine learning in healthcare. You will learn about the role of AI in medicine through online modules, discussions, breakout sessions, and activities. You will also attend expert-led sessions featuring professionals from industry, academia, government, and the nonprofit sector. You will examine core machine learning concepts, evaluation methods, challenges, and emerging areas such as foundation models and generative AI in healthcare. At the end, you will receive a Certificate of Completion.
12. MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute
Location: Virtual or Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free for students with a family income of $200,000 or less | $2,400 otherwise
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July 6 – August 2
Application deadline: Typically, the end of March
Eligibility: High school students, in grades 9 – 11, who live in the U.S. or will be living in the U.S. during the program
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute is a project-based STEM program that lets you dive into specialized tech topics, including AI. Before the summer session starts, you will complete an online prerequisite course in the spring to prepare for the advanced curriculum. During the four-week summer program, you will enroll in online or on-campus courses within AI-focused tracks such as serious game design, autonomous systems, and remote sensing using machine learning tools. The program emphasizes team-based projects where you will design, test, and refine technical systems, gaining hands-on experience with real-world applications. Guest lectures from experts in areas like disaster response, ethics, and system design provide additional insights, helping you understand how AI and technology are applied in practical and societal contexts.