AI Hub’s Under the Hood: Machine Learning and AI Summer Program was a Definitive Win
On July 13, the UMN AI Hub launched its 9th annual summer program for high school students. While the length and the focus of the program have evolved over the years, the end result is always the same: new learning, new friends, and a lot of fun.
The 2026 Under the Hood: Machine Learning and AI Summer Program is the latest evolution of the AI Hub's two-week summer learning experience for high school students, reflecting its focus on helping students understand how AI works behind the scenes. Throughout the program, nearly 100 participants explored the fundamentals of machine learning, neural networks, and the technologies that power today's AI systems.
While the focus is on machine learning and AI, the program's structure is so much more. When planning the experience, there is a strong focus on pathways and collaboration. The AI Hub employed graduate and undergraduate students as instructors and teaching assistants, knowing that many of them have their sights set on becoming professors - so the teaching experience is a strong pathway to achievement of that goal. To do this well, the program was led by: Dr. Tia Clasen, who has spent an entire career in teaching and learning and is an expert on instruction and pedagogy; and (nearly a doctor!) Anneke Von Seeger, a Ph.D. candidate at the University focusing on small language models, who is an expert in the content area. The two collaborated fully from planning to successful execution.
The program itself is a pathway focused on collaboration. The first week is traditionally designed for students who are new to machine learning and AI, while the second week has offered a more advanced experience for returning students. Each week, students work in teams to develop a collaborative project, which they present to their peers at the program's conclusion.
Finally, career pathways are a focus of Under the Hood as well. Both weeks, students hear from guest speakers representing a variety of industries. This summer, representatives from industries such as healthcare (Prime Therapeutics, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Codoxo, Fairview Health Services), the legal space, engineering (Seagate Technologies), technology sales, and more, shared how AI is transforming their fields and discussed the many career opportunities available both within and beyond traditional software engineering. These conversations help students connect what they learn in the classroom to real-world applications and future career pathways.
Whether it is team building activities, lunchtime games, or an engaging lecture, the AI Hub’s Under the Hood program creates a space for incoming juniors and seniors from as far away as Arizona to connect and learn important tools for their future careers. These connections are just as valuable as the technical skills they gain. By working alongside peers, learning from industry professionals, and exploring real-world applications of AI, participants leave with greater confidence, new perspectives, and a clearer understanding of the many paths available in AI and data science.
With another successful year complete, the Under the Hood: Machine Learning and AI Summer Program continues to inspire the next generation of innovators. The AI Hub looks forward to welcoming a new group of curious learners next summer as the program celebrates another year of hands-on learning, collaboration, discovery . . . and FUN!
