However, ChatGPT’s stunning debut that year fueled a glut of new AI products that, while not truly intelligent, provide exceptional services to the public. As a result, graduating high schoolers interested in a tech career must understand these tools and the powerful ways they can use them in their daily lives and future jobs.
Thankfully, students looking to jump into this incredibly rewarding and exciting field can choose from dozens of high-quality classes! These programs include immersive learning experiences that help teenagers quickly and efficiently master artificial intelligence. Attendees get hands-on exercises, practical skill-building activities, and quizzes to sharpen their skills and prepare for more advanced studies. Read on to discover more about this fascinating and unique topic.
What is AI?
In ancient times, people dreamed of artificial intelligence long before it was even vaguely achievable. For example, the giant Talos acted as a sort of robot to protect the island of Crete. Similarly, a Swiss alchemist (Paracelsus) claimed he created an “artificial man” using arcane processes too profane to discuss here. By the 19th century, books like Frankenstein and R.U.R. talked openly of artificial men and robots (the latter book actually invented the term).
These early theories fueled research into the algorithms computer scientists tapped into during the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. Alan Turing’s theory of computation suggested an artificial “electronic brain” that, with time, led to artificial neural networks, analog robots, and similar advances throughout the 20th century. ChatGPT and other Large Language Models (LLM) offer the most advanced AI tools available to the public today, with more options emerging almost daily.
Why Should High Schoolers Learn AI?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the world, just like the internet did in the late 20th century. Honestly, in a few years, it’ll be hard to imagine a world without helpful chatbots, composition tools, and image-creation software. This upcoming ubiquity makes it critical for teenagers to learn advanced AI design concepts ASAP. Doing so can provide high schoolers with a significant advantage in their education and career futures. Here are a few reasons why:
- Improve Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: Developing high schoolers need challenging and demanding studies that push their critical thinking and problem-solving to deeper levels. What better field to study than AI and computing?
- Choose Future-Proof Careers: AI is becoming increasingly important in various markets, affecting industries like writing, marketing, healthcare, and programming. As a result, teens should learn AI to future-proof their careers and stay innovative.
- Foster Innovation and Creativity: Creating neural networks, LLMs, and other AI tools requires a lot of creativity. In fact, AI provides a platform for students to expand their knowledge and develop innovative applications well beyond other job skills.
- Gain a Competitive Edge: Teenagers looking to make great money and stand out compared to their peers should learn AI. Mastering these skills offers them an advantage in admissions and careers as more companies seek people with AI knowledge.
Considerations for Choosing a Course
Not all artificial intelligence programs for teenagers are made equally. Not that any are truly awful: far from it! In fact, most classes offer high-quality educational experiences that solidify a teen’s AI knowledge using practical exercises, theoretical lectures, quizzes, and portfolios that showcase their skills. That said, these lessons can differ in significant ways that may impact a high schooler’s success. Here are a few things to understand before signing up for a bootcamp:
Learning Style
Teens interested in AI bootcamps must ask themselves this question: what learning style do they prefer? Would they rather take self-paced online courses or in-person classes? Note: internet-based programs vary heavily in approach, including live and asynchronous lessons.
Prior Knowledge
Some teenagers likely have prior experience with programming or other relevant subjects (like mathematics), meaning they can pick more advanced classes right away. Beginners (probably most teenagers, honestly) will need entry-level courses to ease into this complex subject.
Career Goals
Ambitious teens should narrow down their career options before signing up for a bootcamp. For example, are they interested in pursuing careers in data science, machine learning, computer science, or other AI-related fields? Whatever their interests, there’s a career in AI available!
Course Focus
Artificial intelligence offers multiple (unique and engaging) subfields that impact a teen’s educational experience. Would they rather study machine learning, natural language processing, or robotics? Or do they want to master all these techniques in one course?
What High Schoolers Can Do With AI
Beyond helping students prepare for an exciting and high-earning career, artificial intelligence bootcamps lay the foundation for many more things. From improving their personal lives to competing in fascinating events, mastering AI opens not just worlds but galaxies (even universes) to teenagers who master it. After all, they’ll study various coding concepts, practice machine learning techniques, create large language models, and much more as they learn to:
- Build simple AI models, such as chatbots, image recognition systems, or recommendation engines, to share with friends or to create a portfolio of work
- Test their skills and compete with other students in AI-related challenges, which often feature large numbers of college and job recruiters trying to find great prospects
- Collaborate with others on AI projects and contribute to the open-source community, including GitHub and Git collections that feature some of the top names in coding
- Investigate how AI is being used in various fields, such as healthcare, finance, and environmental science, to decide which market makes the most sense for them
Balancing High School and AI Learning Demands
The average teenager likely lives an active and exciting life, one packed with school events, afterschool activities, time with friends and family, and sports competition. Even non-athletic learners may stay busy with social groups, like computer clubs. Is it possible for them to take an artificial bootcamp with such a packed timeline? For sure! As long as high schoolers know how to balance their schedule, they can avoid getting burned out while learning critical AI skills.
Use Time Management Tools
Teens nervous about their AI bootcamps should spend time developing effective time management skills to balance schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and AI learning. Pareto Analysis, Pomodoro Technique, and Eisenhower Matrix techniques may help out here.
Don’t Overwork
AI bootcamps require a lot of hard work; students can get burned out if they aren’t careful! Instead of doing everything in long training sessions, they should break down their learning into shorter sessions. How short? Try 30-60 minutes on the weekdays, two hours on the weekends.
Tap Into All Online Resources
There’s no shortage of high-quality online tutorials, workshops, and resources that high schoolers can tap into to supplement their bootcamp learning. Are they worth it, though? Absolutely, as long as teens understand their limitations, i.e., they lack comprehensiveness.
Start Some Passion Projects
Teens feeling a little low on energy can inject some life into their studies by trying out some passion projects! For example, adding artificial intelligence into simple games can make them even better and tap into their budding coding skills. The sky is the limit with this technique!
Jobs Available After Learning AI
Teenagers completing a high-quality artificial intelligence bootcamp aren’t exactly ready to jump into a new job just yet! This complex skill set requires mastering multiple skills in an interdisciplinary way, one that takes years to get right. However, completing their course prepares them for more advanced studies in college and makes it easier for them to find a high-earning job. Here are a few potential positions that might be available after graduation:
- Machine Learning Engineer: A Machine Learning Engineer creates complex computer programs that automate tasks and help create high-quality LLMs and AI tools.
- Data Engineer: In artificial intelligence, a Data Engineer may focus on gathering training data for models, feeding it into the system properly, and tweaking algorithms, as needed.
- Database Administrator: Often, a Database Administrator works with AI teams by collecting information in a singular database and ensuring that it’s properly managed.
- UI Designer: Designing AI tools, such as chat bots, requires a UI Designer who can ensure the user interface makes sense and is easy to grasp intuitively.
- UX Researcher: Often, a UX Researcher works with artificial intelligence designers to find better ways to implement their product to users, including beginner-friendly input.
- Data Analyst: When AI teams run into bad information (or excessively cluttered databases), they may need a Data Analyst to help figure out what’s wrong with it.
Benefits of Taking an AI Bootcamp
While teens can learn artificial intelligence in a college course (and probably need to if they want to start a career), an AI bootcamp offers many benefits. They’re a powerful tool for crafting foundational learning techniques and help teenagers start their university training properly. Just as importantly, they come with many advantages that not even high-level programs provide. Why is an AI bootcamp such an amazing choice for high schoolers? They provide:
- Intensive Learning: The best AI bootcamps provide a fast-paced and immersive learning experience. Teenagers get to work hand-in-hand on real-world projects, build their skills, and walk away ready to tackle beginner-level artificial intelligence tasks.
- Industry Connections: Beyond teaching essential techniques, a bootcamp often helps teenagers build strong industry connections with real professionals. How else do they support their advancement? By offering career placement assistance opportunities.
- Portfolio Development: What do high schoolers do with all that AI work they complete in their bootcamps? They’ll use it to build a work portfolio that shows off their skills to potential employers and college educators who may want to hire/educate them.
- Mentorship: Who teaches a bootcamp? Only the finest artificial intelligence specialists in the world today! These professionals offer mentorship that may include 1-on-1 interaction that helps teenagers better understand AI-related techniques and skills.
Why Taking an AI Course is Better Than Learning for Free
Teens researching AI learning resources might find free options, like YouTube videos and seminars, very tempting. After all, paying thousands for a class puts a burden on them and their family. However, tools like these offer limited support; they’re simply not exhaustive enough to help. Instead, teens must invest in bootcamps to get expert-level instruction from qualified instructors who can provide guidance and feedback on all their AI-related learning experiences.
Even better, these bootcamps offer a structured curriculum and help students progress through their education. As they master their skills, teens work with a community of peers who can offer support and motivation. Finally, completing a course can provide students with valuable certifications or credentials in the AI field. In some cases, they can use their courses as college credits, which cuts down on their training expenses and makes it easier to graduate.
Financing Options for AI Courses
With many AI programs costing thousands of dollars, teenagers and their parents might find it hard to justify paying for them. After all, high schoolers might only have a part-time job and want to save up for a car or college classes. Worse, lots of teenagers don’t have a job, meaning the financial burden falls on their parents. Or does it? Most schools offer financing options that make it easier for learners to afford their programs. Just a few types to consider include:
- Scholarships and Grants: Whenever possible, students should apply for this financing option! After all, they a) never have to pay them back and b) often receive total coverage. Thankfully, many organizations offer them for AI education based on need.
- Student Loans: Student loans can help cover the cost of tuition and other expenses, though they require repayment with interest. Most facilities offer lower interest rates, thankfully, to reduce a student’s burden: making their parents a lot happier!
- Payment Plans: What if teens and their parents don’t want to fall into student loan debt? Well, most schools provide flexible payment plans to make them more affordable. How do they work? They schedule 3-5 installments that break the cost down considerably.
- Free Trials: Some platforms (often asynchronous ones) offer free trials or discounted deals for high schoolers. These include a week or more of access to lessons. In this way, learners can gauge what an artificial intelligence class offers and if it interests them.
Skills High Schoolers Learn in AI Courses
During their intensive artificial intelligence training, teenagers will walk away with more skills and confidence. Each program schedules lessons that build on previously mastered techniques to help students more fully understand AI. Does every class cover the same topics? Not necessarily. Some might focus on more entry-level abilities, while others offer advanced learning. That said, most discuss similar topics to ensure learners know AI well after graduating.
Programming Fundamentals
All AI classes teach students coding languages like Python. As one of the most popular languages in the world, Python often forms the backbone of machine-learning models. Furthermore, students will learn problem-solving and critical thinking skills at the same time.
Machine Learning Concepts
As they delve deeper into their programs, teens will study core machine learning algorithms, such as supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and deep learning. How do they practice them? Typically by building small-scale, but effective, models that utilize these techniques.
Data Analysis and Visualization
Eventually in their bootcamp, teenagers will learn to analyze and visualize data using various tools and techniques. These concepts and skills are critical for a) checking information usage in databases and b) ensuring that it’s used properly to train artificial intelligence models.
AI Ethics
Since the debut of ChatGPT and other models, people have heavily debated the ethical implications of AI and its societal impact. Is this important for teens to know? Yes because they want to produce models that support, not hinder, others. Thankfully, courses cover this topic.
How Easy Is It to Learn AI?
Learning AI can be challenging, even for tech-savvy teenagers. Machine learning, neural networks, coding languages, and behavior analysis: all very difficult things to master. However, it’s not impossible for dedicated and consistent students. With regular practice and learning experiences beyond their first bootcamp, high schoolers can acquire valuable AI skills. Remember: that initial course lays the foundation for mastery and builds critical abilities.
How Long Will It Take To Learn AI?
No high schooler walks out of their first bootcamp ready to jump into an artificial intelligence job. It’s simply too complex a subject to master in a few weeks! Here’s a general rule of thumb: basic AI concepts can be learned within a few months. These include Python, database management, machine learning, and information technology skills. However, serious students should expect many years (even extensive college study) to prepare for a job producing AI models.
Best AI Courses for High Schoolers
High-quality AI bootcamps for teenagers drop them head-first into subjects like coding, machine learning, neural networking, and more to lay the foundation for future training. Remember: a single learning program won’t make a teen career-ready. Instead, they’re useful for building basic skills to make further education easier. The following bootcamps come from two highly acclaimed providers: each offers unique experiences that make them an amazing opportunity.
NextGen Bootcamp
NextGen Bootcamp offers teen-focused lessons in just about every tech subject imaginable. Its high-quality courses focus on a revolutionary live online model that pairs teens with a talented professor in a streamed video environment. These sessions include hands-on feedback, 1-on-1 mentoring, and peer-sharing opportunities. Low on money? NextGen offers financing options that make its programs more approachable. Industry leaders? In every possible way!
Python Data Science & AI Machine Learning Live Online
Python Data Science & AI Machine Learning Live Online lays the foundation for AI-related skills in teenagers from all walks of life. They get 45 hours of live, project-based training from real professionals. Other amenities include small class sizes, a completion certificate, 30-day access to lessons, and 1-on-1 training. What subjects will they learn? Python, data science, Pandas, Sci-Kit learn, Matploblib, and more, all in a live, online environment with real-time teachers.
AI for Workplace Productivity with Microsoft Copilot Live Online
AI for Workplace Productivity with Microsoft Copilot Live Online teaches teenagers Microsoft Copilot, a powerful software tool that helps streamline tasks, produce innovative ideas, and enhance their organizational skills. Lessons also focus on integrating this tool with apps like Excel, PowerPoint, and Word using live online training with expert-level professionals. Interested in ChatGPT? Teens also walk away with top-notch skills with this LLM and others.
Harvard Computer Society
Harvard Computer Society gives young high schoolers access to multiple computer-related courses to build their skills and enhance their careers. These classes focus on teenage students and provide teachers from Harvard’s collection of graduate-level researchers and undergraduates. In this way, skilled teens connect with people closer to their age and can build a strong peer network. When done, they can take these skills into related college programs.
AI Bootcamp
AI Bootcamp is an intensive program that includes teachers with over 20 years of AI research experience. Teens can choose between introductory and advanced programs that teach essential skills like Python, mathematical reasoning, AI and machine learning, PyTorch, and more. Lessons take place online, meaning teenagers from across the nation can easily come. Harvard Computer Society recommends high competence in Calculus skills for all attendees.