Teenagers fascinated by the world of artificial intelligence should definitely take an AI class as a high school student!
Learning artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable investment in the future, offering numerous benefits that extend beyond just technological skills. As one of the fastest-growing fields on the market today, AI provides many fascinating possibilities for growth, particularly for tech-minded teenagers who want to take their careers to the next level.
As a result, any high school student who wants to join the AI market should learn what kind of educational options are available for them! These powerful courses will walk them through early, foundational AI lessons and make it easier for teenagers to achieve their dreams. Just as importantly, these classes give teenagers a hands-on learning experience that ensures they build a strong portfolio of work to show off to potential employers or college professors later.
How Teens Can Learn AI in High School
Teenagers who want to learn AI may have a few different options, depending on their school. As AI becomes more prominent and high schoolers become more interested in it, some facilities have created in-school courses that help teenagers learn about this subject. Though these courses may just cover the basics, they’re still a powerful way for teens to get started:
- In-School Learning: Some high schools now offer computer science and AI courses as part of their curriculum. These classes provide foundational knowledge in programming, machine learning, and data science. Teenagers can check with their school’s guidance counselor to see if any courses are available and how they can enroll in them to get started on their journey.
- After-School Programs: Joining after-school clubs or programs focused on AI and robotics can further enhance a teenager’s learning. Many schools have STEM clubs where students work on AI projects, participate in competitions, and collaborate with like-minded peers. Even better, classes are often provided directly from colleges to improve their education.
- Bootcamps: Bootcamps are intensive, short-term programs designed to teach specific skills. NextGen Bootcamps, for instance, offers excellent AI programs for high school students. These bootcamps provide hands-on experience with AI technologies taught by industry professionals, making them a great way to gain practical skills quickly. They also finish quickly!
Where Teens Can Learn AI Outside of School
Let’s be frank: not every school will provide AI education, even in their computer science courses. This skill is still too new and advanced for every school to provide. That doesn’t mean that a teen is stuck! Instead, they can take high-quality classes outside of school that improve their AI knowledge and make it easier for them to master this skill set. These include:
- Tutor: Computer education tutors may have some experience with AI and can provide hands-on education that works a teenager through the unique skills needed to become an AI specialist. These may include college professors, programmers, or other specialists interested in making a little extra money sharing their skills in other ways.
- Private Schools: Multiple private institutions teach AI skills around the nation. These facilities usually hire high-quality, skilled professionals who fully understand their subject. They often build out curriculums that cover multiple important subjects and ensure that teenagers have high-quality support that makes sense for their needs.
- Dual-Enrollment Opportunities: If a teenager lives near a college or university, they can try out dual enrollment. These courses immerse students in college-level classes that earn both high school and university credits. That’s a huge benefit because it not only gives them some AI experience but helps prepare them for a college education.
Why Learning AI is a Smart Investment for Teenagers
Artificial intelligence is at the very vanguard of tech and will likely point the way forward for many generations to come. As a result, now is the best time for teenagers to start learning about AI! It’s one of the very few fields teenagers can join and be only a year or two behind the very best in the business. Think of it like Bitcoins were when they first came out. People who jumped on them early are now millionaires. The same thing could happen to clever teens willing to work.
Future-Proof Career
The tech industry is one of the best to join because it’s essentially future-proof. That means a teenager’s job is not likely to be replaced any time soon. Even better, future-proof jobs often have a higher potential for amazing earnings. Since AI has taken over the tech market and isn’t going away any time soon, teenagers who want the most protected career path would likely thrive in this role and truly enjoy what this field offers them in job progression and salary.
Enhancing Logical Skills
AI requires a strong foundation in mathematics and logical reasoning. Studying AI will improve a teen’s analytical skills and their ability to approach problems methodically. These skills go far beyond a coding or AI career. In fact, people can use better logic every day in their lives, such as solving problems more effectively and handling life’s unique challenges better. For instance, coding logic can be used to budget effectively or even create an in-depth shopping list.
Preparation for College
Taking AI courses prepares teens for college-level coursework in computer science and engineering. It also strengthens their college applications, demonstrating their commitment to pursuing advanced technological knowledge. Even better, it lets teens skip those early computer science courses that might take place early in the morning or cover boring subjects. It’s nice for teens to know they don’t have to wake up at 7:30 am just to get to class.
Improving Job Opportunities
AI is one of the fastest-growing fields, with applications in numerous industries, including healthcare, finance, entertainment, and more. In fact, it’s clear that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and large language models (LLMs) is likely to affect all walks of life and impact just about every career that uses a computer, i.e., most of them today. As a result, AI can significantly enhance a teen’s job prospects and open up high-paying career opportunities.
Popularity and Diverse Uses
AI's popularity stems from its diverse applications and potential to revolutionize industries. AI is used in everything from virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa to autonomous vehicles and medical diagnostics. Its ability to optimize processes and save costs makes it indispensable. As a result, teenagers who learn AI could find themselves in high demand in many other fields and earn a great living providing powerful artificial intelligence tools for their customers.
What Students Learn in AI Courses
Like with any kind of skill, learning AI typically takes teens through multiple learning levels. They won’t start by making a new large language model right away, of course! Instead, they’ll start by mastering some foundational skills that improve their understanding and make it easier to transition to advanced topics. This three-tiered learning experience is typical of most AI courses:
- Beginner Lessons: Early AI lessons include courses like Introduction to Programming (Python), Basic AI Concepts (Machine Learning, Neural Networks), and Understanding Algorithms and Data Structures. Teens might even progress to creating simple AI projects, such as basic predictive models, chatbots, and even early large language models.
- Intermediate Lessons: As teens progress in this field, they’ll learn about advanced machine learning techniques, data analysis and visualization, natural language processing, neural networks, and complete intermediate AI projects. These might include sentiment analysis and image recognition, though they may vary depending on a course’s specific subjects.
- Advanced Lessons: Finally, teenagers are likely to start studying deep learning, advanced neural networks, AI ethics, artificial intelligence policies, real-time AI systems, useful real-world applications, research and development, and end by creating projects. These could include autonomous systems, advanced predictive models, and other important subjects.
Skills Teens Should Learn When Mastering AI
Artificial intelligence is like any type of coding or tech career; it requires synthesizing multiple advanced skills into one coherent knowledge base. As a result, teenagers should seriously consider learning other important skills while studying artificial intelligence. Most AI courses will at least touch on these concepts, though teens may also want to take supplemental classes from their favorite educational provider to master these abilities even further.
Programming Languages
Understanding programming languages is fundamental to learning AI. Languages like Python, R, and Java are commonly used in AI development. Python, in particular, is widely favored for its simplicity and robust libraries such as TensorFlow and PyTorch. Mastering these languages lets teens write and understand the code that drives AI algorithms and models. Here’s the other cool thing they can do: unlock careers outside AI, including security and programming jobs.
Data Science
Data science skills are integral to AI because they involve extracting insights from data, which is the backbone of AI. Learning data manipulation, cleaning, and visualization techniques, along with tools like SQL and Excel, will help teens manage and interpret the large datasets used in AI training. Just as importantly, knowing these skills can help teenagers progress even further in their careers by preparing them for unique roles in various potential markets.
Machine Learning
Machine learning (ML) is a subset of AI focused on building systems that can learn from data. Understanding ML concepts such as supervised and unsupervised learning, clustering, regression, and classification is essential. Skills in ML algorithms and frameworks, like Scikit-learn, complement AI knowledge by enabling you to create predictive models. Knowing these techniques can help teenagers create powerful and fascinating models for customers.
Natural Language Processing (NLP)
NLP is a branch of AI that focuses on the interaction between computers and humans through natural language. Learning NLP involves understanding syntax, semantics, and the various techniques used for language modeling, text analysis, and machine translation. NLP skills are vital for creating AI systems that can understand and respond to human language. Without them, AI will continue to sound a little artificial or hollow to most people.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing skills are essential for deploying and scaling AI models. Knowledge of cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure allows teens to use powerful computational resources and manage data storage efficiently. Cloud computing enables the development of AI applications that can handle large-scale data and processing demands. In today’s cloud-based world, understanding this tool is essential for major projects in multiple fields.
Other Skills to Master
Other subjects teens might want to learn when mastering AI include:
- Ethics in AI or how to use AI ethically and morally
- Computer vision, including image processing, pattern recognition, and facial recognition
- Robotics, or the art of creating intelligent machines to automate tasks
- Cybersecurity, such as using AI to protect systems from attack
- Project management to plan, execute, and oversee AI projects
- Communication and collaboration to bring AI teams closer together
NextGen Bootcamps for Teens Interested in AI
NextGen Bootcamps offers several specific programs that are highly beneficial for high school students. As the most popular teen-based training team in the nation, NextGen utilizes a summer camp setup that works teenagers through their lessons quickly and efficiently. For example, high school courses typically take no more than a few weeks to finish, giving teenagers plenty of time to have fun. Here’s the most popular of their AI programs.
Python Data Science & AI Machine Learning Program NYC
Python Data Science & AI Machine Learning Program NYC is a two-week class in The Big Apple that teaches teenagers what they need to know to get started in AI development. They’ll craft real-world projects using Python, the most popular coding language in the world. Then, teens study Pandas, Matplotlib, and Scikit-learn, important packages that make AI development even easier. When done, they’ll have a completion certificate and a portfolio of work to show off.
Python Data Science & AI Machine Learning Live Online
Python Data Science & AI Machine Learning Live Online covers the same subjects as the New York City class and is a powerful way for teenagers around the nation to master AI skills! Teachers help set up the necessary software before the class even begins, letting students study AI at home in a real-time environment. Just as importantly, this course lets students interact with their instructors and peers to build better relationships and enhance their AI skills.
College AI Programs for Teenagers to Consider
While AP Advanced Placement options for AI are not available currently, teens can still use various courses when preparing for college AI programs. Many universities offer robust AI and computer science degrees with many unique advantages. Just a few reasons that teenagers may want to take prep or college courses when starting an AI career include:
- Comprehensive Coursework: Prep and college AI courses often include very comprehensive coursework that helps teens master this subject. Getting real hands-on experience with artificial intelligence will make it easier for teenagers to start making their own projects.
- Research Opportunities: College courses give teenagers access to powerful computing tools that cost thousands or more to buy and maintain. They’ll never get such a great opportunity to work with that kind of power, giving them an amazing chance to truly build their skills.
- Internships: Many tech programs provide internship programs that help students find a job after they finish their training. These include placement programs with non- or low-paying internship roles. Though these can seem frustrating at first, they help teenagers build skills and find careers.
- Job Preparation: These programs prepare you for advanced studies and careers in AI, providing a solid foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of AI technologies. In this way, teens can build their abilities and become even more respected in their fields.
Taking an AI class in high school is a wise decision that equips teens with valuable skills and knowledge that prepare them for college and career opportunities. Whether through in-school courses, after-school programs, or specialized bootcamps, there are numerous ways to start a journey in AI. Teens interested in AI should embrace the opportunity to learn about this exciting field and position themselves for success in the rapidly evolving world of technology.