10th April 2025Susie Cochin de Billy

Trends in Education: AI and How to Explore it as a High School Student | Arcus Advisory

A few years ago, AI was something out of a sci-fi film. Now? It’s everywhere. From ChatGPT to self-driving cars, AI is shaping industries at an astonishing pace.

For students, AI is no longer just an “interesting field”—it’s a powerful tool that can open doors to research, innovation, and career-defining opportunities. The question is: how can you, as a high school student, break into this world before university?

Why AI Matters More Than Ever

It’s a Game-Changer for College Admissions – AI is one of the hottest topics in academia. Showing experience in AI research or projects can make your US college application stand out instantly.
It’s Reshaping Every Industry – Medicine, finance, law, music, architecture—AI is no longer just for computer scientists. Whatever field you’re interested in, understanding AI will give you an edge.
It’s Democratized – Unlike other high-level research areas, AI is accessible. You don’t need a university degree to start building AI models or conducting meaningful research.

How to Get Started with AI as a High School Student

1. Take the Right Courses

Start with beginner-friendly courses like:

“Machine Learning” by Andrew Ng (Coursera)
Harvard’s CS50: Introduction to AI
MIT Open Courseware AI classes

2. Participate in AI Summer Programs

Some of the best include:

Stanford AI4ALL (2 weeks, £4,000) – A deep dive into AI ethics and research.
MIT Beaver Works AI Camp (4 weeks, free if selected) – A hands-on, project-based AI program.
Oxford AI Programme (Online, £2,500) – A UK-based option focusing on AI policy.

3. Work on Real AI Projects

The best way to learn AI? Build something. Use platforms like Kaggle, TensorFlow, and oogle Colab to create models and compete in challenges.

4. Find a Mentor & Conduct Research

Reach out to university professors, AI startups, or research labs. Many students publish papers through programs like the Simons Research Program or independent projects hosted on arXiv.

AI isn’t just for tech geniuses. It’s a field that’s open to anyone willing to learn and experiment. Whether you want to major in computer science or just apply AI to another passion, getting involved early will put you ahead of the curve.