AI Scholars Live Online by Inspirit AI: A Virtual Summer Program in Artificial Intelligence for High School Students
What Is AI Scholars Live Online?
AI Scholars Live Online is a virtual summer program created by Inspirit AI to introduce high school students to artificial intelligence. It combines live instruction, hands-on learning, and mentorship to help students explore fundamental AI concepts and build socially impactful projects.
Inspirit AI was founded by a team of alumni and graduate students from top universities including Stanford, MIT, and Harvard who have experience in cutting-edge AI research and applications.
This program is part of our curated list of the best virtual summer programs for high school students, updated annually.
What the Program Claims
AI Scholars Live Online positions itself as a comprehensive introduction to artificial intelligence that can help prepare students for college and future careers in tech. The program claims to offer:
Personalized learning in small groups with an excellent student-to-teacher ratio (approximately 5:1)
Instruction from graduate students and alumni of prestigious universities like Stanford and MIT
College preparation workshops specifically for top CS/AI programs
Access to a continuous learning portal with additional resources and projects after completing the program
A socially impactful AI project experience that can be showcased on college applications and resumes
Who Should Consider This Program?
Recommended Grades: 9–12
Experience Level: Beginner to Advanced (students are placed in cohorts based on prior experience)
Ideal For Students Interested In: Artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer science, programming, data analysis, and applying technology to social issues
What You'll Do
Students in AI Scholars Live Online will:
Attend live virtual classes and workshops covering fundamental AI concepts and programming skills
Work collaboratively in small groups on socially impactful AI projects in domains such as healthcare, art, sustainability, finance, and more
Receive mentorship and guidance from instructors with backgrounds in AI research and industry
Develop Python programming skills and learn to implement AI techniques like machine learning algorithms
Participate in college preparation workshops and discussions about AI ethics
See the Schedule section for session structure and subject options.
How It's Taught
Classes are conducted via Zoom, with a main room overseen by a Program Manager and smaller breakout rooms for interactive learning
Fully synchronous instruction with live lectures, hands-on coding exercises, and discussions
Students receive preparation materials in advance, including Python and AI basics videos
The program emphasizes active participation and collaboration in a small-group environment
Special sessions with instructors on cutting-edge AI research topics are available
Time Commitment
Live Class Time: 2.5 hours per session, typically held Monday-Friday for weekday cohorts or weekends for weekend cohorts
Homework or Independent Work: Most work is completed during class time; 2-4 hours of outside work may be needed toward the end of the program for group presentations
Program Length: 10 sessions total (25 hours of instruction)
Schedule
Session Dates:
Weekday options (Monday-Friday for 2 weeks):
June 2 - June 13, 2025
June 16 - June 27, 2025
June 30 - July 11, 2025
July 14 - July 25, 2025
July 28 - August 8, 2025
August 11 - August 22, 2025
Weekend options are also available (meeting Saturdays & Sundays for 5 weeks)
Class Size: 5-6 students per instructor
Program Structure:
First half: Learning foundational AI concepts, applications, and programming skills
Second half: Working on mentor-led AI for Social Good projects and college/career preparation workshops
Tracks or Focus Areas: Students can work on projects in various domains including healthcare, finance, art, sustainability, autonomous driving, and more
Course Catalog: View the full program page here
Who Teaches the Program
The program is taught by graduate students, alumni, and advanced undergraduates from top universities including Stanford, MIT, Harvard, and other leading institutions. Some instructors also have industry experience at companies like Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. The teaching team has expertise in applying AI techniques across various domains including healthcare, arts, sustainability, engineering, and science.
Cost & Financial Aid
Tuition: $1,400
Payment Options: Payment plans are available; payments are due 30 days before the program begins
Financial Aid: Limited need-based financial assistance is available; students can request financial aid applications when applying
Refund Policy: Not explicitly stated on the website
How to Apply
Deadline: Rolling admissions with limited spots available
Application Process: Online application form with a short essay (approximately 150 words) showcasing your enthusiasm for AI
Apply Here: Inspirit AI Application
What Students Say
"Do it if you have nothing else productive to do over the summer. Don't add it to your common app but use the experience there to kickstart your own AI building/learning initiative." — Reddit user
"I took Inspirit AI and it was honestly really interesting! There were lots of guest speakers and I got to work on a really cool project with a mentor who helped us with everything. I will say it's a bit pricey though." — Reddit user
"After one class, I realized that the class revolves around students running code cells in Google Colab without understanding how it works. It was clear that even the instructors did not exactly know the syntax because they could not answer questions from students that extended beyond basic debugging." — Medium reviewer
"Honestly, the value depends on how much effort you put into it. If you go through the motions you won't get much. But if you're proactive and curious, you can get a lot out of it." — Reddit user
"It really depends on what you're looking to get out of it. If you want hands-on, mentor-led AI experience that'll stand out on college or job applications, Inspirit AI seems worth it based on personal experiences. The structured learning modules + real-world projects offer more engagement than typical online courses like Coursera or anything you find on YouTube. Plus, it's a great resume booster in tech fields. That said, [the cost] is steep, so if you're confident you can self-learn or if cost is a major issue, it might not be necessary." — Reddit user
"I did it last summer. It was alright. I think it was more useful as an introduction to some AI concepts than as a deep learning experience. But the mentors were supportive and I liked the project aspect." — Reddit user
Final Thoughts
AI Scholars Live Online is a project-based virtual summer program for students who want to dive deeper into artificial intelligence. The program offers small-group instruction from graduate students at prestigious universities and focuses on socially impactful projects. However, there are several factors to consider before enrolling.
Some critics point out that the program appears to have an open admissions policy with minimal requirements, which may reduce its value on college applications compared to more selective opportunities. Others question whether the $1,400 price tag provides good value when many AI learning resources are available for free online.
On the positive side, students who actively engage with the program report gaining valuable mentorship, hands-on project experience, and a solid introduction to AI concepts. The small student-to-teacher ratio (5:1) allows for personalized attention that may be particularly beneficial for beginners.
This program may be a good fit for self-directed students who are curious about AI applications and looking for structured guidance, especially those who learn better with real-time instruction and feedback. However, those seeking a prestigious credential to boost college applications or hoping to publish research might want to explore other options as well.