Many people believe that this technology is changing the world and will continue to do so in the future. A summer AI class is a way to start gaining proficiency in a versatile and in-demand set of skills that will be useful no matter what field you plan to work in.
Key Takeaways
- AI is a group of technologies that lets computers perform tasks like problem solving and reasoning, that are traditionally associated with human intelligence.
- AI skills are in demand in almost every industry and are likely to become even more important in the future.
- There are many different AI class options for high school students, including both in-person and online class options.
- Adults can also choose from a variety of different AI class options.
- Many AI-related jobs pay well and are experiencing rapid growth.
- Whether you’re an adult or a teen, summer can be the perfect time to learn some AI skills that you can use to improve your future job prospects.
AI is a term used for technologies that let computers simulate human intelligence and perform tasks like reasoning, solving problems, and making decisions. It can be used to automate tasks, interpret large amounts of data, and solve problems, and can help reduce errors and save time and money.
In an April 2024 Built In article titled “Artificial Intelligence,” the author explains how AI technology is able to simulate human intelligence. It says, “AI systems learn . . . by processing massive amounts of data and looking for patterns to model in their own decision-making. In many cases, humans will supervise an AI’s learning process, reinforcing good decisions and discouraging bad ones, but some AI systems are designed to learn without supervision.”
AI is used in many different technologies including smartphones, self-driving cars, and financial applications. Machine learning is an example of AI. This is where a machine performs tasks using an algorithm that has been created from sets of data. An example of this is the way Netflix uses your viewing history to make content recommendations for you. Another example of AI is generative AI, such as ChatGPT, where new content is generated based on user inputs.
McKinsey and Company stresses in an April 2024 article that AI will play an important role in everyone’s lives in the future. It says, “We’re in the midst of a revolution. Just as steam power, mechanized engines, and coal supply chains transformed the world in the 18th century, AI technology is currently changing the face of work, our economies, and society as we know it.” This makes an AI class a smart investment for your future.
For High School Students and Teenagers
In-Person Classes
NextGen Bootcamp: Python Data Science and Machine Learning
NextGen Bootcamp’s Python Data Science & Machine Learning program provides high school students with an immersive educational experience aimed at making them comfortable with the most common applications of Python. This course introduces students to the most important principles of data science and offers guided instruction in managing, organizing, and querying datasets. This course will teach students how to create graphs and charts to help visualize data and the course will conclude with students beginning to learn the basics of machine learning algorithms. By the end of this course, students can be confident in their data science skills and feel comfortable moving into more advanced data science training programs.
Artificial Intelligence: A Computational Account of Intelligence
This course is offered through Brown Pre-College Programs, and takes place on campus in Providence, Rhode Island. It is similar to a college-level AI course, but does not assume that students have a college-level understanding of mathematics. The course covers a number of different branches of AI including planning, knowledge representation, and machine learning. Students are introduced to basic mathematical functions throughout the course. They will also get hands-on experience with Python. In addition, they will learn about the main limitations of current approaches. In order to take this class, students should have an understanding of basic algebra.
Engineering with Artificial Intelligence
This is an in-person class offered by Tufts University, and takes place on campus in Medford, Massachusetts. There is both a commuter and a residential option. Students learn about the background and history of AI, and cutting-edge implementations of this technology at university and industry levels. They will also take part in discussions about the ethical and societal impact of AI, and the responsibilities of developing AI systems. The class includes hands-on experience developing AI solutions and applications.
Technology and AI
This class takes place in person at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, with both a commuter and residential option available. It is designed for students in grades 6 through 8. Students who take the class will learn about the core building blocks of AI. They will learn about machine learning, data analysis, neural networks, and natural language processing.
AI Scholars
AI Scholars is a resident-only pre-college summer program that takes place at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Students learn through classroom instruction, hands-on projects, and engagement with leading tech companies. There is a virtual pre-program Python course. There will be field trips to meet AI industry leaders, and capstone group presentations.
Artificial Intelligence Application Development
This course is offered by Syracuse University, which is located in Syracuse, New York. Both a commuter and residential option are available. It includes lectures, collaborative learning, and hands-on projects. Students will learn about what AI is, how to use Python and its libraries, how to clean and collect data, and the fundamental concepts of supervised and unsupervised learning. They will also learn to build and deploy simple AI projects. This class also covers ethical considerations of AI development. It comes with a certificate of completion.
Live Online Classes
Python Data Science and AI Machine Learning Live Online
This multi-week summer class is designed to help you get comfortable with using Python for machine learning and data science. You’ll learn Python coding fundamentals, and how to write conditional statements in Python. You’ll also learn to use Pandas, Matplotlib, and Sci-Kit learn. The class covers cleaning and wrangling data, visualizing complex data, and using machine learning algorithms. It takes place in a live online format and is offered by NextGen Bootcamp, which was founded in 2016.
Computer Science Summer Certificate Program Live Online
NextGen Bootcamp also offers a live online computer science summer program, which covers programming basics, in addition to more advanced programming and data science. You’ll learn to use Java and Python when you take this class. You’ll also learn to write and use machine learning algorithms, write your own functions, read and understand large programs, and use Pandas and Matplotlib.
Artificial Intelligence
This course is offered by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes. It is a live online class intended for students in grades 10 and 11. It is designed to give students an understanding of what AI is, and how it is used. The class covers supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning algorithms. Students will use linear algebra, statistics, optimization, and calculus. They will implement algorithms in Python in order to develop programming proficiency. The class is intended to teach students how to build efficient, safe, and ethical AI systems. Students who want to take this class should have beginning proficiency in Python.
AI for Equity
This pre-college course is offered virtually by Seattle University and is intended for students interested in criminal law and AI. Students who take this class will learn about how criminal justice and modern technology intersect. This includes issues such as equity and bias. As part of the program, students will engage with law enforcement and tech companies in the Seattle area.
AI Explorers: A Journey Into Artificial Intelligence
This course is for students in grades 9 through 12 and runs in an online format. It is offered by Illinois Tech. It is intended to give students an understanding of the key concepts of AI. This includes learning about what happens behind the scenes. Students take part in interactive generative AI exercises, interactive training of machine learning models, and interactive large language model discovery.
For College Students and Adults
Intro to Generative AI with ChatGPT
This is a live online class offered by Noble Desktop, a coding and design school that was founded in 1990 and is based in New York City. It is focused on using ChatGPT to generate text, ideas, and solutions for different types of applications. You’ll learn about the technology and practical uses of this language model. You’ll take part in hands-on exercises and learn about how to use generative AI and ChatGPT, including how to write prompts that will give you useful answers. You’ll also explore the real-world applications of ChatGPT. This class comes with a certificate of completion and the option of a free retake within one year.
Python Machine Learning Bootcamp
Noble also offers a Python Machine Learning Bootcamp in a live online format. This class is focused on practical skills. You’ll learn linear and logistic regression, and algorithms. You’ll also learn how to measure the accuracy of your models and how to choose effective algorithms and features. In order to take this class, you should be comfortable with Python and its data science libraries. The class comes with a certificate of completion and a one-on-one training session.
Another way to gain artificial intelligence skills is to take a comprehensive data science class. Noble Desktop offers a live online Data Science Certificate, where you’ll learn a wide range of data science skills, including many AI skills. This program covers database manipulation and data analysis. You’ll learn to use Python and its data science libraries. You’ll also learn to build machine learning models and evaluate their performance. In addition, you’ll learn to create dashboards and visualizations. The course comes with a certificate of completion, six one-on-one mentoring sessions, and the option of a free retake within one year.
Online AI and Machine Learning Bootcamp
This course is offered by General Assembly, and is a multi-week live online class. It covers both practical and theoretical machine learning concepts, with students using real-world tools. Students will learn statistics for data science, programming basics, and applied data science with Python. The class also covers machine learning, deep learning, and generative AI and prompt engineering.
Artificial Intelligence Course Online
This is an online class offered by Brain Station. It is designed for students of all levels and comes with a certificate of completion. Students learn about essential AI concepts, models, foundations, and ethics. They also learn about using generative AI, including prompt engineering. This includes evaluating and improving model performance. Finally, the course covers business applications and problem-solving with AI. This includes going through the cycles of design, creation, feedback, and revision.
Artificial Intelligence Professional Program
This is an online certificate course offered by Stanford Online, with students taking three classes in order to earn a certificate. Each class takes multiple weeks to complete. Students learn about deep learning, natural language processing, supervised and unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning, and multi-task and meta-learning. They will also learn to build their own AI models and algorithms, and fine-tune and optimize them. In addition, they will learn to debug their code. To take this class students need proficiency in Python, college calculus, linear algebra, and probability theory.
Applied Generative AI for Digital Transformation
MIT Professional Education offers this live online class, which comes with a certificate of completion. This is a multi-week course combining theoretical learning with hands-on, actionable learning activities and assignments that emphasize real-world application. Students will gain proficiency in generative AI, use prompt engineering, automate workflows, employ generative AI in domain-specific tasks, and understand and manage generative AI’s organizational implications.
AI Machine Learning Bootcamp
This is a self-paced course offered by the Borough of Manhattan Community College. Students learn about the history and current state of machine learning and AI, including the different types of models used. They learn about simple correlation, simple tests, cross-validation, selecting a training dataset, and common machine learning models. The class also covers applied natural language processing and neural networks. Students also work on a capstone project, and they receive five one-hour online coaching sessions with the instructor.
Data Science with Python: Machine Learning
This course runs online through the NYC Data Science Academy. Students learn simple and multiple Linear regressions, regularization, and cross-validation and feature selection. They also learn a number of classification methods including logistic regression, discriminant analysis, and tree-based methods. After taking the class, students will be able to explain the principles of machine learning algorithms and implement them. Before they enroll, students should have some knowledge of Python programming, and be able to munge, analyze, and visualize data in Python.
Why Summer is the Perfect Time to Learn AI
No matter what stage of life you are in, summer can be a great time to take an AI class. If you’re a high school student, there are many benefits to a summer class. In an article titled, “Summer Learning Programs: What, Why and How,” College Board explains that there is a long list of benefits to a summer class. It says,
“You may think summer school is only for students with remedial academic needs, but many students choose to take part in special summer learning programs to:
- Explore their interests
- Develop new skills
- Get hands-on experience that a classroom doesn't offer
- Meet other students with similar interests
- Get a taste of college life
- Try out college classes
- Earn college credit, if available”
In addition, it says, “Taking part in a summer program is also a plus on college applications; it shows colleges that you’re committed to learning.”
Summer classes are also beneficial for students who are already in college, for many of the same reasons. In a 2023 Forbes Advisor article titled, “Should You Take Summer Classes In College? What To Know,” the author says, “An increasing number of college students are using their summers to get ahead by taking classes.” He argues that there are many benefits to taking a summer class as a college student including getting ahead, saving money (summer classes are often cheaper), and learning something new.
Finally, even if you’re done with school and have a full-time or part-time job, a summer class can have some significant benefits. A class can be a great way to refresh your skills or gain new skills. It can also help you keep up-to-date on new technology, which is particularly important in a field like AI, where technology is changing rapidly. There is evidence that gaining new skills can help you get noticed if you’re looking for a new job, or increase your chances of a promotion or pay raise if you’re just looking to get ahead in your current job. In a September 2023 article in Forbes Advisor, Rashi Maheshwari says, “Since each and every individual and businesses are trying to implement AI based applications in some or the other way . . . [AI training] opens up for an endless amount of job and career opportunities.”
Reasons to Learn AI
AI is used in a growing number of ways and AI skills can be useful in a wide range of different jobs. Some common ones include Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, Software Engineer, Computer Scientist, and Data Engineer. Many of these careers pay well. For instance, the average yearly salary for a Data Scientist is $121,000 to $124,000, and a Machine Learning Engineer earns about $128,000 to $165,000. A Software Engineer earns $105,000 to $115,000, a Computer Scientist$111,000 to $121,000, and a Data Engineer$121,000 to $128,000.
Many AI-related jobs are also experiencing strong growth and are predicted to continue to grow rapidly in the future. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a federal agency that gathers and analyzes labor market activity and publishes reports about many different AI-related careers. It predicts that over the next ten years data science jobs will grow by 35 percent, which is significantly faster than the average job growth rate of only 3 percent. BLS explains, “About 17,700 openings for data scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. . . . Employment growth for data scientists is expected to stem from an increased demand for data-driven decisions. The volume of data available and the potential uses for that data will increase over the projections decade. As a result, organizations will likely need more data scientists to mine and analyze the large amounts of information and data collected.”
Job growth for Computer Information and Research Scientists--another field where AI is commonly used-- is anticipated to be 23 percent. BLE explains, “As demand for new and better technology grows, demand for computer and information research scientists will grow as well.” For Software Developers, growth is expected to be 26 percent. BLS explains that the continued expansion of AI is one reason for this rapid growth rate.
How Hard Is It to Learn AI?
AI is a technical and complex field that involves math, statistics, and computer programming, and many people find it challenging, however, with time and dedication almost anyone can learn AI skills. Many experts emphasize that the best way to start is by building a strong foundation in basic concepts and best practices. After you’ve mastered the basics, you can work on more complex skills. One way to speed up the learning process is to enroll in a paid class, where you can receive guidance from an expert, and can ask questions and get feedback throughout the learning process.
How to Choose the Right Summer AI Course
There are a lot of different summer AI classes out there, and you might find yourself overwhelmed by your options. One good way to narrow down your choices is to think about your learning style and goals, and then look for a class that aligns with these needs. For instance, thoroughly read course descriptions to get an understanding of what the class covers, whether it takes place in person or online, how much it costs, and how long it takes to complete. All of these can vary significantly by school. If necessary, contact the schools to request more information. It can also be helpful to read reviews from former students, which can offer additional insight into course content and style.
It’s also a good idea to do your research well before you plan to take the class. Many classes have application deadlines and are limited in the number of students that they accept. Some also have prerequisites or other types of requirements. By understanding deadlines and application requirements, you can avoid the disappointment of missing out on the class that you want.