15 AI Summer Internships for High School Students

If you are a high school student interested in artificial intelligence, then a summer internship in this emerging tech field is a great starting point. Summer internships offer you the opportunity to work on projects in your field of interest and develop valuable skills in research, critical thinking, and communication. Many of these opportunities are hosted by respected universities and organizations, ensuring that the work you do is both rigorous and meaningful.  As a participant, you may also get access to mentorship, opportunities to present your work, and exposure to various career paths.

AI internships provide a structured way to explore coding, data science, and machine learning while working on real-world projects. These internships not only help you learn practical tools but also provide insights into how AI is applied across different domains.  From healthcare to finance, you get to experience the various uses of AI as it becomes more and more utilized in different fields. Another benefit of these internships is the chance to work alongside researchers, professionals, and peers who share your interests, allowing you to build lasting connections and strengthen your academic profile.

To help you find the best fit, we’ve narrowed down 15 AI summer internships for high school students.

1. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Internships

Location: Multiple sites in the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by location
Dates: Summer; specific dates depend on location
Application deadline: Rolling basis; deadlines vary by site
Eligibility: Current high school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; eligibility requirements may vary by location

The AEOP High School Internship program places you in Department of Defense research labs or university labs to work alongside scientists and engineers. You will contribute to ongoing research projects, gaining experience with advanced equipment and real-world problem-solving. Depending on your placement, you may explore AI, coding, or machine learning applications, such as working with the Army Research Laboratory in Boston or the Aberdeen Proving Grounds on AI-based navigation and control systems. The program emphasizes one-on-one mentorship and offers a stipend. The program also offers access to learning materials and webinars that can help you prepare for future STEM academics. 

2. Veritas AI: AI Scholars & AI Fellowship programs

Location
Cost: Varies; financial aid offered

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Vary by cohort
Application deadline: May/June deadlines for summer cohorts. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students; the AI Fellowship requires prior AI Scholars participation or some experience working with AI or Python.

Veritas AI offers multiple work-learn opportunities focused on artificial intelligence exploration. If applying to the beginner-friendly AI Scholars program, you will get to work with Ph.D. students from top institutions and learn about the applications of AI. You will also learn how to work with Python and explore machine learning, AI, and data science concepts. You can also opt for the AI Fellowship program, which offers you mentorship to help you develop your own unique project. In the past, Veritas AI program participants have worked on interdisciplinary AI-focused projects that utilize concepts from environmental science, medicine, finance, and mental health. You can check out past projects here.​​

3. Spark Summer Mentorship Program (SPARK SMP)

Location: Greater Seattle area, WA, other sites in the U.S., or virtual

Cost/Stipend: Free; some projects offer stipends
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June – August
Application deadline: Typically, March/April
Eligibility: High school students, preferably in the Greater Seattle area, who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; applicants must be able to commit to 40 hours/week for 8–12 weeks

Spark SMP offers high school students the chance to work closely with mentors from universities, research labs, and industry on real projects. You can select from project areas such as machine learning, AI, quantum computing, data visualization, or biomedical applications like disease detection. Your responsibilities will vary based on the project sponsor. Past projects have focused on the design of AI-driven workflows, modeling of extreme weather conditions, and the application of machine learning to cancer detection. In addition to technical training, the program provides career exploration resources and support for the college application process.

4. Ladder Internship Program: AI Track

Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by format; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts for mentorship-focused work
Dates: Multiple 8–12 week cohorts throughout the year, including in the summer
Application deadline: May/June for summer cohorts
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who will be able to commit 10–20 hours/ week

Ladder Internships offers high school students the chance to gain professional experience while working directly with high-growth start-ups. Within the AI Track, you will join projects at companies working on developing AI and machine learning solutions. In the process, you will gain practical exposure to concepts like natural language processing, predictive modeling, or AI-driven platforms. You will collaborate with start-up managers and receive support from a dedicated Ladder Coach while working on internship tasks. Over the course of the program, you will complete hands-on assignments and present your work to company leadership. The experience can help you build professional skills while exploring real-world AI applications.

5. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) - George Mason University

Location: George Mason Fairfax, VA, or virtual
Cost/Stipend: No tuition; $25 application fee with waivers available; unpaid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application deadline: Early February
Eligibility: High school students, age 15 and up (or 16+ for “wet lab” placements); international students may apply if they are eligible to work in the U.S.

ASSIP provides high school students with intensive summer research experiences under the guidance of George Mason University faculty and partner researchers. You can choose to work with a mentor focusing on projects in fields such as machine learning, AI, bioinformatics, data science, operations research, and computer science. You will gain experience working with advanced lab equipment, practice scientific writing, and present your work at a final poster symposium. You may also find your name in published papers or get to contribute to conference presentations, gaining early exposure to professional research. At the end of the program, you will attend the program symposium, gaining insights into ASSIP research conducted during the summer.

6. NIST Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)

Location: NIST campuses in Gaithersburg, MD, and Boulder, CO
Cost/Stipend: Free; unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited placements across six NIST laboratories
Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school students (generally juniors and seniors) with strong backgrounds in science, math, or computer science; U.S. citizenship required

NIST’s SHIP allows you to work directly with scientists in one of six specialized laboratories, including the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL), where you will engage in projects related to machine learning, data mining, and computer forensics. During the eight-week program, you will assist with ongoing research and gain experience using advanced equipment. Mentorship is a central component, as you will be paired with a NIST researcher. Project areas range from quantum optics and AI-driven data analysis to cybersecurity, nanotechnology, and materials science, depending on your lab placement. The program ends with a poster symposium where you will share your findings with peers, mentors, and family members.

7. University of New Hampshire HighTech Bound

Location: University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory, Durham, NH
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 7 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors

HighTech Bound is a four- to six-week summer internship where you will gain hands-on experience in network technologies while working on team-based projects. Under the guidance of mentors, you will collaborate on designing solutions using hardware and software similar to that used by leading companies like Apple, Dell, and Cisco. The program emphasizes technical skill-building, problem-solving, and exposure to technologies used in smart cars, internet devices, and cloud systems. In addition to earning a stipend, you will earn high school credit through VLACS, making it both an academic and professional opportunity. You will leave with strengthened technical knowledge and the potential for future employment in technology fields.

8. NASA and UT Austin’s STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) Summer High School Intern Program

Location: Virtual + in person at UT Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: None; all participants receive a NASA certificate of completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 215 students selected out of 2,000 applications
Dates: May 1 – July 22 (including virtual learning, project work, on-site component, and virtual symposium)
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens who are current 10th or 11th graders; must be 16 years old by July 1; students cannot have previously participated in SEES.

The SEES program offers a unique opportunity to work with NASA subject matter experts on projects that blend Earth science, engineering, and space exploration. You’ll begin with virtual distance-learning modules that must be completed before July 1, then participate in either an in-person or virtual internship. You can take up projects that combine AI with topics like astronaut photography, aerospace engineering, or Mars Rover resource utilization. In the past, students have worked on AI-based space science projects, including topics like Architecting AI for Human Space Travel. You will have access to the mentorship of scientists and faculty while exploring NASA remote sensing data, mission design, and ice sheets. You will present your work at the end-of-program symposium.

9. Microsoft Discovery Program

Location: Redmond, WA or Atlanta, GA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited to students in local school districts
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application deadline: Early February

Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors living within 50 miles of Redmond, WA, or attending high school in Atlanta-area districts (Fulton, Cobb, APS, DeKalb, and Gwinnett); applicants must have completed pre-calculus or equivalent coursework.

Microsoft’s four-week Discovery Program introduces graduating high school seniors to careers in technology through hands-on projects, professional development, and one-on-one mentorship with Microsoft employees. As a participant, you will work in teams on projects designed to build technical and problem-solving skills while exploring how personal interests can evolve into careers in tech. The program emphasizes professional skill development, collaboration, and mentorship, with opportunities to experience Microsoft’s workplace culture. You will also work on a group project, where you will learn about customer issues and needs and help design a product to meet those needs. 

10. Meta Summer Academy

Location: Menlo Park, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores living in East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, or Redwood City and holding a minimum GPA of 2.0 

Meta Summer Academy introduces high school students to careers in technology through hands-on training, mentorship, and coding workshops. Over six weeks, you will work alongside Meta employees to understand the day-to-day operations of a major social media company while developing both technical and soft skills. You will participate in coding lessons, explore career pathways in tech, and receive professional development guidance to prepare for future academic and career goals. The program can be an opportunity to explore one of the world’s leading technology companies.

11. George Mason University and NASA Data Science Analysis and Scholarly Research Paper Writing Internship

Location: Hybrid—virtual and in-person at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost: Registration fee required; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; capped at 50 students
Dates: June 14 – August 30
Application deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: High school students with strong STEM backgrounds

This intensive three-month internship provides high school students with the opportunity to analyze real NASA mission data while developing a publishable research paper. Under the guidance of faculty and NASA-affiliated scientists, you will use tools like Python, Jupyter Notebooks, and AstroImageJ to investigate exoplanet candidates from the NASA TESS mission and analyze atmospheric data from the James Webb Space Telescope. The program includes virtual telescope observation nights, asynchronous lectures, and structured research mentorship. You will contribute directly to exoplanet validation studies and present your findings at a hybrid conference in August. You will receive a Certificate of Completion and may have your research paper posted on George Mason University’s Young Scholars journal website.

12. Texas Tech Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free apart from a $25 application fee; $750 stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~12 students admitted annually
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: Typically due in February
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are high school juniors or seniors

The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program offers competitive summer internships to high school students interested in engaging in a faculty-mentored research experience at Texas Tech University. Over seven weeks, you will conduct independent research under the guidance of university faculty. You can focus on an AI-based project in the field of computer science or any other interdisciplinary research area. The program includes weekly seminars, social activities, and opportunities to connect with peers and faculty. On completing the internship, you will receive a stipend.

13. Princeton AI4ALL

Location: Princeton University campus, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: July 9 – 30
Application deadline: April 9
Eligibility: Rising 11th graders from low-income families who live in the U.S. or Puerto Rico

Princeton University’s AI4ALL is a three-week program for students interested in learning about AI. While not a traditional internship, this free experience offers internship-like hands-on learning opportunities. As a participant, you will learn about key AI concepts, research in the field, and the impact of AI through a mix of lectures, field trips, and research projects. You will also have access to mentorship and personal and professional development opportunities, including small-group mentoring sessions, workshops, and social events. A key part of the experience is a trip to Washington, D.C., where you will connect with public and private organizations and explore topics and careers in AI and public policy. You will also work in a small group, which will be led by AI graduate students, on a research project examining the societal effects of AI. At the end, you will present your work to peers and faculty.

14. George Mason University’s BioScience: AI & Life Science in Disease Research

Location: Virtual and optional in-person at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost/Stipend: Registration fee required (amount not publicly shared); need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited spots for motivated high school students
Dates: June 21 – September 6
Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: High school students

This 12-week research program is an opportunity to explore how artificial intelligence intersects with biomedical research. The program combines virtual lectures, guided research projects, and optional in-person lab experiences at George Mason University’s Center for Infectious Disease Research. You will investigate topics such as viral interactions with human cells, AI-driven drug discovery, and antimicrobial resistance, guided by faculty mentors. The program culminates in a conference day where you can present your findings to scientists, followed by four weeks dedicated to refining your final research paper. You will receive a certificate of completion, with opportunities for recognition and scholarships based on performance. The winning team member will receive a $500 scholarship. 

15. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship

Location: Virtual
Cost: $40 application fee; $850 program fee; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~25 students
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12 in the fall who are at least 14 years old and U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or individuals with valid visa status; preference is given to students with strong math or programming skills, or prior experience in healthcare-related projects.

This two-week program introduces you to the intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare through technical lectures, small-group projects, and mentorship from Stanford researchers. You will explore AI fundamentals in medicine, participate in group research tasks, and engage in daily discussions with peers and mentors. The program also includes virtual “Career Lunch and Learns” with professionals from academia, industry, non-profits, and government. By the end of the program, you will have completed a collaborative project and will receive a certificate of completion. As a participant, you can also choose to extend the summer research experience by applying to Stanford’s academic year research program.

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