Online AI Summer Programs for High School Students
Updated: Oct 12
Updated October 2026
TL;DR
This guide takes you through 10 online artificial intelligence programs for high school students, covering opportunities in machine learning, AI research, data science, healthcare, and AI-powered app development. You can compare free and paid options, explore beginner-friendly courses or advanced research opportunities, and find programs that match your experience and interests. Some offer financial aid, mentorship, or opportunities to build independent projects. If you want to explore AI through a mentored research project, learn more about the Lumiere Research Scholar Program.
AI is changing the world, and high school is a great time for you to start learning about it before the field moves even further ahead. This guide takes you through 10 fully online artificial intelligence programs for high school students across the U.S. You can explore machine learning, build AI-powered projects, learn from researchers, or investigate how AI is used in fields such as healthcare and data science. You'll find options for different experience levels, budgets, and academic goals. If you're particularly interested in conducting an independent AI research project, explore our guide to 8 AI Research Programs for High School Students.
What can you learn in an online AI program?
Online AI programs can take you beyond simply using AI tools. Depending on the program, you may learn Python, understand how machine learning models work, analyze data, build applications, or explore how AI can address problems in healthcare and other fields.
You may also develop skills in:
Programming and machine learning: Learn how algorithms process information and how models identify patterns in data.
Research and problem-solving: Investigate a question, work with datasets, and develop or test a solution.
Project development: Build an AI-powered application, create a simulation, or develop an independent research project.
Responsible AI: Examine privacy, bias, ethics, and the potential effects of AI on people and society.
Scientific communication: Present your findings, explain your design decisions, and communicate what your project demonstrates.
The depth of study varies. Introductory programs may welcome students with no prior AI experience, while research internships and advanced courses can expect Python knowledge or familiarity with machine learning. If you want to explore this field in greater depth, check out our guide to machine learning research programs for high school students.
What should you check before applying to an online AI program?
Before applying, compare more than the program name. A course that is ideal for a beginner may not provide enough research depth for someone who already knows Python, while an advanced internship may expect experience you have not yet developed.
Eligibility: Check grade requirements, age limits, residency restrictions, and whether international students can apply.
Prior experience: Confirm whether you need Python, statistics, calculus, or previous AI coursework.
Cost and financial aid: Some programs are free, while others charge tuition or application fees. Check what financial assistance is available and what it covers.
Format and schedule: Confirm that the program is fully online, whether sessions are live, and how many hours per week you will need.
Project outcomes: Look for opportunities to build an application, complete a research project, work with a mentor, or present your findings.
Application timeline: Check the official website for the latest deadlines. A previous year's schedule does not guarantee that the next cycle will follow the same dates.
Which online AI program matches your goals?
The right program depends on what you want to do with AI. Some teach the fundamentals, while others expect prior coding experience and focus on research, advanced machine learning, or building a complete project.
Your goal | Programs to explore |
Learn AI fundamentals and build your first project | |
Explore AI research and independent projects | |
Apply AI to real-world problems | |
Study data science and machine learning |
10 Online AI Summer Programs to Consider
The programs below range from introductory AI courses to research internships and project-based opportunities. Review the eligibility criteria, fees, and current application information carefully before applying.
1. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application deadline: Rolling. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI offers online programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. In AI Scholars, you’ll learn core AI concepts and work with peers on a group project. If you already have some Python or AI experience, the AI Fellowship lets you develop an independent project with one-on-one mentorship from an AI researcher or practitioner. The Fellowship also offers support for submitting work to research journals or competitions.
Why it stands out: You can choose between learning AI fundamentals through a group project and developing an individual AI project with one-on-one mentorship, depending on your experience.
Location: Remote research program with mentorship from Dartmouth Health and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Cost: Not specified on the official program page
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort size and acceptance rate not specified
Program Dates: TBA; previous cycle: summer, with onboarding scheduled between April and June
Application Deadline: TBA; previous cycle: March 1, with early decisions on March 27 and final decisions between April 15 and April 22
Eligibility: High school students with a strong foundation in computer science, some prior exposure to machine learning or deep learning, and an interest in applying computational methods to biomedical research.
The EDIT AI internship introduces you to machine learning and computational biology through research into real medical problems. You’ll work with biomedical data, such as pathology images, medical reports, and genomic information, using tools like Python and R. With guidance from research mentors, you’ll develop computational methods, present your findings, and may contribute to scientific publications.
Why it stands out: You can apply machine learning to real biomedical research questions and gain experience working with large datasets and high-performance computing resources.
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program pairs you one-on-one with a PhD mentor to develop an independent research project. You can choose a topic in fields such as psychology, physics, economics, computer science, engineering, and international relations. The Individual Research Program takes 12 weeks and culminates in a research paper, while longer options provide additional writing and publication support.
Why it stands out: You can explore a subject of your choice with individual PhD mentorship and complete an independent research paper without needing to travel to a university campus.
Location: Online; open to high school students across the United States and Puerto Rico
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school students in the United States and Puerto Rico.
MIT FutureMakers is a free, six-week online program that teaches you to use AI and digital technologies to address problems in your community. The first four weeks focus on technical skills and responsible AI design, followed by a two-week team project in which you develop and pitch an AI-based solution. You’ll get support from university student mentors.
Why it stands out: You can learn AI without previous coding experience and work with a team to develop a project aimed at solving a real-world problem.
Location: Online; open globally, except U.S. embargoed countries
Cost: Free; travel and accommodation for eligible winning representatives to present at the MIT AI & Education Summit are covered
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 1,313 participants registered in the 2025 competition; acceptance rate not specified
Program Dates: TBA; previous cycle: March 3–April 14, with the MIT AI & Education Summit held July 16–18
Application Deadline: TBA; previous deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Open to participants worldwide of all ages. The youth categories are for individuals under 18 or teams of 2–5 members, all under 18. Participants in other categories may be adults or mixed-age teams.
The MIT RAISE Global AI Hackathon invites you to build an AI-powered app that addresses a real-world problem linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Using MIT App Inventor, you’ll develop your app and submit a demo video and presentation explaining its purpose and impact. You can compete individually or as part of a team, with projects judged on creativity, design, technical skill, and social impact.
Why it stands out: You can build an AI app for social good and compete for an opportunity to present your project at the MIT AI & Education Summit, with travel support for eligible winners.
Location: Online via Zoom
Cost: Online prerequisite course is free; summer program fees depend on household income. Students from families with income and typical assets below $200,000 attend tuition-free.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort size and acceptance rate not specified
Program Dates: TBA; previous cycle: four-week summer program, with an online prerequisite course completed beforehand
Application Deadline: TBA; previous cycle: March 31 for the summer application, with recommendations due April 3
Eligibility: Students residing in and physically attending high school in the United States, in grades 9–11, who will remain in the U.S. during the summer program.
MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute’s Serious Games Development with Artificial Intelligence course introduces you to AI, game design, and systems modeling. You’ll work with a team to modify a simulation game and investigate real-world questions, such as how disease spreads or how self-driving systems make decisions. The course also covers Python development, data analysis, user interface design, and the ethical use of AI.
Why it stands out: You’ll use AI and game development to investigate real-world problems while learning how software teams plan, build, test, and present a project.
Location: Online
Cost: Estimated $4,018 for a two-week session in 2027, including tuition and standard program fees; $95 application fee. Need-based financial aid is available to eligible U.S. citizens and permanent residents living in the U.S. or its territories.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: TBA; previous cycle: July 6–17 (Session A) and July 20–31 (Session B)
Application Deadline: April 1, 2027, for the general Online Summer application; early registration opens March 10, 2027. Confirm course-specific availability when 2027 listings are published.
Eligibility: High school students with little to no prior coding or programming experience; the course is designed for beginners.
Columbia University’s online Data Science and Machine Learning 1 course introduces you to Python, machine learning algorithms, and real-world applications of data science. You’ll learn how to analyze and present data ethically and effectively, building a foundation for more advanced study. If you already have Python experience and some background in statistics or linear algebra, you can consider the more advanced Data Science and Machine Learning 2 course.
Why it stands out: You can explore both Python and machine learning in a beginner-friendly course, with an advanced follow-up option if you already have programming experience.
Location: Online
Cost: $2,400 program fee; $45 application fee. Limited need-based financial aid is available. Confirm fees for the 2027 cycle.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 100 students across two sessions; acceptance rate not specified
Program Dates: TBA; previous cycle: June 15–26 (Session A) and July 6–17 (Session B)
Application Deadline: February 1, 2027; applications open November 10
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 who are over 14 and reside in the United States while attending a U.S. high school
Stanford AIMI’s two-week virtual internship introduces you to AI research in healthcare through technical lectures, mentored team projects, and talks from experts. You’ll explore topics such as machine learning, medical imaging, clinical applications, and responsible AI while working with a team on a focused health AI research project. Students who complete the program receive a Certificate of Completion.
Why it stands out: You’ll work on a mentored health AI research project and can apply for a longer research experience after the summer program.
Location: Online via Zoom
Cost: $795 regular pricing; $995 final-priority pricing. Limited need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until seats are filled
Program Dates: TBA; previous summer cycle: June 1–5, June 8–12, June 15–19, and June 22–26
Application Deadline: TBA; previous winter cycle’s standard deadline was December 30, with later applications subject to final-priority pricing
Eligibility: High school students with Python proficiency and strong mathematical reasoning; calculus experience is preferred.
The Harvard Computer Society AI Bootcamp is a five-day online program covering machine learning, deep learning, generative AI, computer vision, reinforcement learning, and AI ethics. You’ll take part in coding exercises, lectures, and project workshops, then develop and present a mini-project. The introductory track is for students who know Python but are new to AI, while the advanced track suits students with prior AI/ML experience or familiarity with PyTorch.
Why it stands out: You’ll learn from Harvard-affiliated students and researchers while building and presenting a hands-on AI project.
Location: Online; open to high school students from anywhere in the world
Cost: TBA for 2027; course credit was offered in the previous cycle, with tuition details available through Cornell Summer Sessions
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; 14 high school and college students participated in the inaugural 2026 session
Program Dates: TBA; previous cycle: June 22–August 4
Application Deadline: TBA; registration for the 2026 session is closed
Eligibility: High school and college students from any academic background; no prior AI experience required.
Cornell Bowers’ AI for All is a six-week online course that introduces you to how modern AI systems work, including the large language models behind chatbots and image generators. You’ll explore machine learning, neural networks, natural language processing, and the social impact of AI, including privacy and algorithmic bias. Through hands-on projects, you’ll also learn to use AI responsibly for research and studying and build custom tools with AI-powered coding assistants.
Why it stands out: You can earn Cornell course credit while learning how AI works, examining its real-world impact, and building your own AI-powered tools.
How do you compare online AI programs before applying?
Once you have shortlisted a few programs, compare their costs, experience requirements, and expected outcomes. A free introductory course may be a practical starting point if you are new to AI, while a research internship or mentored fellowship may suit you better if you already have programming experience and want to investigate a specific question.
Program | Cost and financial support | Best suited to |
Free | Students interested in responsible AI and team projects | |
Income-based tuition support | Students interested in AI, simulations, and game development | |
Varies; full financial aid available | Students seeking structured AI learning or mentored projects | |
Varies; full financial aid available | Students interested in individual research mentorship | |
Not specified on the official page | Students with coding experience interested in biomedical AI | |
$2,400 fee; limited need-based aid | Students interested in healthcare and medical imaging | |
Estimated $4,018 for a 2027 two-week session; aid for eligible applicants | Students interested in data science and machine learning | |
$795 regular pricing; limited aid | Students with Python knowledge who want an intensive AI introduction | |
2027 cost to be announced | Students interested in AI fundamentals, responsible use, and applied projects | |
Free in the previous cycle | Students interested in developing AI apps for social impact; check for a new edition |
Before committing, confirm the current program dates, application requirements, and total cost on the official website. If financial aid is important to you, check whether it covers tuition alone or also includes application fees, software, equipment, and other expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you join an online AI program in high school without coding experience?
Yes. Some programs, including MIT FutureMakers and Cornell Bowers – AI for All, are designed to introduce AI concepts to students without extensive prior experience. Others, such as the Harvard Computer Society AI Bootcamp and EDIT AI, expect programming or technical preparation, so check the prerequisites before applying.
2. Are online AI summer programs for high school students free?
No. Some options are free, including MIT FutureMakers, while others charge tuition or program fees. Veritas AI and the Lumiere Research Scholar Program offer financial aid, and other programs may provide limited need-based assistance. Check the current fees and eligibility rules before applying.
3. Do online AI programs offer research or project experience?
Yes. Depending on the program, you may build an AI-powered application, work on a team project, investigate a biomedical research question, or complete an independent research project with a mentor. Review the program curriculum to see whether it focuses on coursework, group projects, or independent research.
4. How do you choose the right AI program for college preparation?
Start with your current experience and the skills you want to develop. If you're new to AI, a beginner-friendly course can help you build a strong foundation. If you already know Python, consider a research internship or advanced program that lets you investigate a specific topic. For a more personalized approach, you can also explore the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, where you work one-on-one with a PhD mentor to develop an independent research project in a field such as computer science or data science.