With the recent surge in interest in machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), more high school students are interested in exploring these fields. Starting early with AI and ML builds foundational skills for future studies in computer science and can open up other opportunities in a growing industry. 

Summer programs in machine learning offer a way to explore these complex subjects outside the pressure of your school schedule. They can help you focus on an individualized project, develop essential coding skills, and interact with like-minded peers. If you’re interested in computer science, doing a machine learning summer program can demonstrate this interest to college admissions officers.

To help you find the right fit, here’s a list of 9 machine learning summer programs for high school students looking to build strong foundations in AI and computer science. 

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - Computer Science Track

Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.

Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.

Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!

Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.

Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring.

Cost: Full financial aid is available!

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 psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.

2. Google’s Machine Learning Crash Course

Location: Online

Program Length: 15 hours

Eligibility: Open to anyone. Recommended prerequisites include a basic grasp of variables, linear equations, function graphs, histograms, statistical means, and some Python experience.

Application Deadline: None

Google’s Machine Learning Crash Course introduces machine learning with practical applications, making it accessible for high school students and beginners. With 25 lessons and 30 exercises, the course covers core topics like logistic regression, framing, and neural networks, giving you a solid foundation in machine learning concepts. You’ll earn a certificate upon completion, and since it’s online and self-paced, you can fit it into any schedule. This course is especially well-suited for younger high school students or anyone looking to build a base in machine learning.

3. Veritas AI 

Location: Virtual

Cost: 

• $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program

• $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase

• $6,900for both

• Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here. 

Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Winter cohort deadline - December 1, 2024

Program dates: Various according to the cohort

Program selectivity: Moderately selective

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.

Application Requirements: Online application form, answers to a few questions about the student's background & coding experience, math courses, and areas of interest.

Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs tailored for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence. Students looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students can work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here. 

4. AI & Health Summer High School Boot Camp 

Location: Cambridge, MA

Program Length: One cohort, one week long

Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors

Application Deadline: To be announced. You can sign up here to learn about their upcoming dates.

Cost: None

This program introduces students to AI, machine learning, programming languages, and their applications in healthcare through 3-4 hours of daily instruction. With lectures by MIT faculty and trips to partnering research organizations, the program offers valuable learning experiences at the intersection of technology and healthcare. As part of the program, you will complete a group project and present your work. While the program itself is free, note that the program is non-residential and does not cover transportation and housing.

5. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) - Summer Research Internship

Cost: $850 + $40

Application deadline: February 28

Eligibility: High school students aged 14+

Program dates: June 16 – June 27

Location: Virtual

This summer internship introduces high school students to the applications of AI and machine learning in healthcare. You will participate in lectures on AI fundamentals, guided group projects, and sessions led by Stanford researchers and guest lecturers. Throughout the program, you will work on developing AI-driven solutions aimed at improving human health, exploring various aspects of machine learning in the process. Acceptance to this program is competitive, with each cohort limited to 20 participants. 

6. NYU’s ARISE Program

Application Deadline: March 1

Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors who are residents of New York

Program Dates: June 3 – August 9

Location: New York University

Cost: No cost; students receipt a stipend of $750

NYU’s ARISE program offers an opportunity for high school students to conduct STEM research. Applicants choose their preferred research areas and are later matched with a specific lab. Research options include the Machine Learning for Good Laboratory, which explores how machine learning can be applied to social causes, such as disease detection or improving fairness in criminal justice. Other labs focus on areas like building informatics, privacy and security automation, and music and audio research. The program begins with two weeks of remote coursework, followed by five weeks of research, and concludes with a colloquium. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here. 

7. Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program

Cost: None

Application Deadline: March 14

Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old

Program Dates: 5-6 weeks during the summer (dates TBA)

Location: Princeton University

Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program offers high school students a rigorous research experience. You will be mentored by faculty and research staff while working on projects in engineering or the natural sciences. For 2024, the program included three machine learning-focused projects: machine learning for smart polymeric materials, navigating ocean currents with machine learning, and machine learning for green power generation and propulsion. The program culminates in a 2-page research report. With over 700 applicants annually, the program is highly competitive. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here. 

8. NASA’s Antarctic Study with Satellite Observations

Application Deadline: Generally in the first few days of February

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old

Program Dates: Usually during the summer (specific dates unavailable)

Location: Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Greenbelt, Maryland

Cost: None, stipend provided

Offered at the Goddard Space Flight Center, this summer internship allows high school students to engage in research related to Earth science and climate studies. You will work on studying Antarctic clouds, blowing snow, and their interactions with the surface using data from NASA satellites. Big data analysis and machine learning techniques are integral to the research process. A highly competitive program that also accepts undergraduates and graduate students, this program provides valuable experience with cutting-edge technology.

9. Google AI For Everyone

Cost: Depending on what you choose, both free and paid courses are available

Location: Virtual

Program Length: 2-3 hours/week for 4 weeks

Eligibility: Open to all high school students

Application Deadline: N/A

Google’s ‘AI For Everyone’ course provides an introduction to artificial intelligence and machine learning, with a focus on practical applications. Key topics include the fundamentals of machine learning, neural networks, and computer learning processes, as well as the ethical considerations surrounding AI. Taught by Laurence Moroney, Google’s lead AI advocate, the course offers expert insight. It can be taken independently or as part of Google’s broader Machine Learning Certificate Program. This is a flexible option for high school students.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.