11 Free AI Courses for High School Students
As artificial intelligence (AI) is constantly revolutionizing industries and shaping the future, understanding AI is no longer just an asset — it’s becoming essential. Engaging in an AI course offers a unique opportunity to delve into innovative technologies, understand complex algorithms, and develop problem-solving skills essential for navigating a technology-driven world. By studying AI, students can move beyond simply using technology and start mastering the concepts that power it.
These courses, specifically designed for high school students, offer more than just theoretical knowledge. Through hands-on projects, collaborative learning, and mentorship from experts, young learners gain practical experience in areas like machine learning, data science, and neural networks. Whether it’s training an algorithm to recognize images or creating models that analyze data, students will engage in real-world applications, equipping them with a strong foundation in AI fundamentals.
Here are our picks for 11 free AI courses for high school students that will empower high school students to step confidently into the dynamic world of artificial intelligence.
1. Carnegie Mellon University’s AI Scholars
Carnegie Mellon University’s AI Scholars program is an intensive 4-week experience for rising high school seniors eager to delve into artificial intelligence. You’ll participate in college-level courses led by top faculty and researchers, exploring various AI concepts and computing topics. Alongside the academics, weekly seminars will guide you through college admissions, financial aid, and personal well-being, helping you prepare for the next step in your academic journey.
In addition to coursework, you’ll engage in a project-based learning experience, where you’ll collaborate on applying AI to address real-world challenges. The program concludes with a presentation of your group project, demonstrating your newly acquired skills. Throughout the week, the schedule includes lectures, workshops, and field trips, with evenings for study and collaboration. On weekends, you’ll have the chance to explore Pittsburgh and participate in campus activities, making this program both academically enriching and culturally immersive.
Location: Carnegie Mellon campus, Pittsburg, PA
Program dates: June 21 to July 19, 2025
Application deadline: March 1, 2025
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA students) who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program
2. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute
MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) is a rigorous four-week summer program for high school students with a strong interest in STEM. You’ll begin with online prerequisite courses to build essential skills in coding, Python, and more. BWSI offers multiple specialized courses that cover advanced topics such as autonomous robotics, AI in healthcare, machine learning, and data science.
Once on campus, the program dives into practical applications of AI, with courses like "Autonomous Cognitive Assistance" (CogWorks) that teach students to design and develop intelligent systems. Each team is supported by MIT faculty, graduate students, and industry experts who guide them through complex project work, encouraging both technical skill-building and innovative thinking.
Additionally, students have opportunities to attend guest lectures by leading professionals in the field, allowing them to gain insight into potential careers in AI, robotics, and technology development. You’ll benefit from working closely with peers, faculty, and industry experts in a supportive environment. While the program is free for qualifying families, there is a fee for those with higher incomes.
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA (with some virtual courses)
Program dates: Tentatively July 2025, with specific dates announced closer to spring. Virtual courses are open for interested students till November.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Eligibility: High school students (except seniors) who are U.S. citizens can apply.
Princeton AI4ALL is a summer program designed for low-income students who are passionate about AI and its ethical use. Held on Princeton University’s campus, the program offers an immersive curriculum that blends AI education, hands-on projects, and fieldwork to explore the ethical and social implications of AI. The goal is to cultivate a diverse pipeline of future AI leaders who are both technically skilled and ethically informed.
Princeton AI4ALL also encourages personal and professional growth through career development workshops, mentorship opportunities, and social events to help build a strong support network among peers and mentors. Participants apply their learning to collaborative projects on socially impactful topics, such as healthcare, bias in AI, and environmental sustainability. Each student group works closely with graduate mentors to develop research projects presented at the program's end. Additionally, students can access Princeton’s AI Lab, where they engage in hands-on experiments and coding exercises tailored to reinforce key AI concepts.
A unique feature of Princeton AI4ALL is a two-day field trip to Washington, D.C., where students meet policymakers and industry leaders to discuss the intersection of AI, ethics, and policy. With a limited number of students, the program fosters a close-knit community, giving you the opportunity to build lasting connections while preparing for a future in artificial intelligence.
Location: Princeton University campus, Princeton, NJ
Program dates: July 14 to August 3 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application deadline: March (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising 11th graders from low-income backgrounds in the U.S. or Puerto Rico, especially those from underrepresented groups, such as women, non-binary students, Black, Hispanic/Latino/Latina, and Native American students
Kode with Klossy offers free, two-week coding camps aimed at empowering young women and gender-expansive teens in the STEM fields. You’ll explore one of four custom curricula, learning key skills in web development, mobile app creation, artificial intelligence, or data science. For those specifically interested in AI, the Machine Learning curriculum introduces you to machine learning concepts, image classification, and bias in AI, equipping them to design and train their own models using tools like CreateML. By the end of the camp, each scholar completes a capstone project, which they present at a showcase event.
No prior coding experience is required, making this an ideal program whether you're new to coding or looking to expand your knowledge. The camps emphasize collaboration and creativity, allowing you to work alongside peers in a supportive environment while building projects that apply your newfound skills. Whether you’re creating a mobile app, building dynamic websites, or analyzing data, you’ll walk away with valuable technical expertise and a strong network of like-minded individuals.
Location: Virtual and in-person camps across the U.S., including cities like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles
Program dates: Multiple sessions from June to August
Application deadline: April (tentative)
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 who identify as female, gender-nonconforming, and transgender
5. NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute
The NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute (DLI) provides a flexible and in-depth learning experience designed to help you explore the world of artificial intelligence and advanced computing. Designed for diverse audiences — including students, educators, and professionals — DLI’s courses aim to equip learners with practical skills in areas like deep learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and machine learning. The self-paced format allows you to learn at your own speed, with access to industry-standard tools and frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, and NVIDIA CUDA.
DLI offers multiple courses focused on AI, including denoising diffusion models, a key concept in creating AI models for various industries. The Institute’s practical approach includes interactive labs and access to GPU-accelerated servers in the cloud, allowing students to work on projects like training image classifiers, developing conversational AI, and experimenting with reinforcement learning. By completing the courses, you can earn certificates to demonstrate your expertise and boost your academic or career portfolio.
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: None
Program dates: Self-paced
Eligibility: Open to all
6. Intro to AI by the AI Education Project
The AI Education Project (aiEDU) is a nonprofit initiative focused on equipping students with essential skills to thrive in a world increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence. This 10-week, project-based learning course is tailored for high school students in grades 9-12, introducing AI fundamentals, such as machine learning, data science, and neural networks, as well as ethical concerns around AI, including bias and privacy issues. This course is part of AIEDU's mission to make AI education accessible and focuses on real-world applications that resonate with young learners.
The program includes 35 culturally relevant lessons, each lasting about 45 minutes, that engage students in hands-on projects and group activities. These lessons cover topics like the use of AI in healthcare, environmental science, and social media, helping students understand how AI affects multiple sectors. By participating, you’ll be better prepared to navigate the complexities of an AI-driven world and equipped with the knowledge to engage meaningfully with technology in your future studies and career paths.
Location: Virtual
Program dates: Varies based on school or instructor availability
Application deadline: None
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12
7. MIT Jameel Clinic AI & Health Summer Program
The MIT Jameel Clinic AI & Health Summer Bootcamp is a rigorous one-week program designed for high school students interested in exploring the intersections of artificial intelligence and healthcare. Hosted by MIT’s Abdul Latif Jameel Clinic, this free, non-residential program introduces students to AI concepts and machine learning applications that are transforming the medical field. The curriculum includes hands-on instruction in Python, clinical AI, and drug discovery, where students work collaboratively on projects and learn from MIT faculty and researchers.
Each day consists of 3-4 hours of interactive sessions led by AI and healthcare experts. This experience allows you to explore how these innovations can enhance the precision, efficiency, and speed of healthcare delivery. With a focus on learning by doing, you'll have the chance to interact with experts through lectures and site visits to partner research organizations, broadening your understanding of the field.
As part of the curriculum, you will work collaboratively on a group project that culminates in a final presentation, showcasing your findings and insights. This not only solidifies your grasp of AI concepts but also enhances your communication and teamwork skills. The program is entirely free, but students must arrange their own transportation and accommodations, as it is non-residential.
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Program dates: Typically held in July (2025 dates to be announced)
Application deadline: Applications will open in January 2025
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12
8. Google’s Machine Learning Crash Course
Google’s Machine Learning Crash Course offers a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the field, making it an ideal choice for high school students eager to dive into artificial intelligence. With over 25 lessons and more than 30 interactive exercises, the course covers essential topics such as linear and logistic regression, neural networks, and machine learning fairness. Engaging video lectures and real-world case studies enhance your understanding, while hands-on practice helps solidify key concepts. Upon completion, you’ll receive a certificate to showcase your newfound skills.
Flexibility is a key feature of this course, allowing you to learn at your own pace, making it a great option for students balancing school and other commitments. Whether you're just starting or have some background in machine learning, you can choose which modules to tackle first. Pre-work resources help you get acquainted with the prerequisites, ensuring a smoother learning journey.
Location: Virtual
Program dates: Self-paced; course takes 15 hours to complete
Application deadline: None
Eligibility: Open to all
Google's "AI For Everyone" is a free introductory course designed to make artificial intelligence concepts accessible to all, regardless of background in technology or programming. This course breaks down complex concepts into understandable segments, covering the basics of AI, its applications in the real world, and the underlying principles of machine learning. You’ll engage in activities that involve teaching a computer to recognize images and sounds, providing practical experience alongside theoretical learning. Key topics include neural networks, types of machine learning, and the importance of data in training AI systems.
Further, you will explore various AI applications, from recommender systems to self-driving technology, gaining insights into how these technologies impact everyday life. The course also emphasizes ethical considerations and the potential for bias in AI, encouraging you to think critically about the implications of these technologies. By the end of the program, you’ll be well-equipped to understand and discuss AI-related topics in both personal and professional contexts, laying a solid foundation for further study in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.
Location: Virtual
Program dates: Self-paced
Application deadline: None
Eligibility: Open to all
10. Veritas AI
Veritas AI offers an engaging AI Scholars program designed for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. The course begins with a solid foundation in Python programming and essential AI concepts, enabling you to execute a data science project effectively. Over the first two weeks, you will build your skills in coding and learn the critical steps involved in managing data science initiatives. As the program progresses, you will delve into various key topics in AI, such as regression, neural networks, and natural language processing (NLP), equipping you with the theoretical knowledge needed for real-world applications.
In the latter part of the program, you’ll focus on practical applications like image classification, deep learning, and sentiment analysis, working collaboratively in groups of 3-5 students to develop a real-world project. This hands-on experience not only solidifies your understanding of complex AI techniques but also emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations in AI development. While the program is paid, 100% need-based financial aid is available, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder your ability to learn.
Location: Virtual
Program dates: Varies depending on cohort
Application deadline: Winter cohort deadline - December 1, 2024
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.
11. Curiosity Machine AI Challenge
The Curiosity Machine AI Challenge, sponsored by Technovation Families, invites high school students to identify real-world problems in their communities and craft AI-based solutions. Open to high school students and their families, you must complete a 10-lesson curriculum that introduces AI concepts, such as machine learning, data modeling, and neural networks, through hands-on, project-based learning. This foundational knowledge prepares you to approach your chosen problem critically and creatively, whether it relates to transportation, health, education, safety, or environmental issues.
Each lesson builds on foundational AI principles and guides families through activities like data exploration and model training, making complex topics accessible and fun. After the challenge, families submit their project to a global competition, where finalists are invited to present at the Technovation World Summit and compete for awards. This initiative serves as a fantastic entry point for students eager to embark on their AI and machine learning journey while having a meaningful impact on their surroundings.
Location: Virtual
Program dates: Opens annually, typically around August; projects can be completed at participants' own pace
Application deadline: None
Eligibility: High school students under 18 years of age
One other option — the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation stands as a non-profit research program tailored for gifted students from low-income backgrounds. Stemming from the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, renowned for its extensive one-on-one research opportunities for high school students, the foundation provides the same access to independent research experiences at zero cost.
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In our flagship program, we pair talented high-school students with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can apply here!
This program is a particularly solid option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper.
Cost: The program is fully funded!
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: 4 annual cohorts run in fall, spring, summer, and winter
Program Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort.
Eligibility:
You must be currently enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall of 2023.
Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note. Students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
Tyler Moulton is Head of Academics and Veritas AI Partnerships with 6 years of experience in education consulting, teaching, and astronomy research at Harvard and the University of Cambridge, where they developed a passion for machine learning and artificial intelligence. Tyler is passionate about connecting high-achieving students to advanced AI techniques and helping them build independent, real-world projects in the field of AI!
Image Source - Carnegie Mellon University Logo