This summer, NYU Shanghai welcomed 43 high school students for the university’s first-ever AI Summer Program. Over two weeks, students immersed themselves in a rigorous program blending university-level lectures, hands-on labs, and corporate visits offering them a rare opportunity to experience what studying and living at a university.
The summer program was led by NYU Shanghai’s Division of Computer Science, Data Science, and Engineering, with eight faculty members teaching courses and guiding students throughout the journey. For many participants, this close engagement with professors was a highlight.
Interim Dean of Computer Science, Data Science, and Engineering Nasir Memon said that the summer program was designed to inspire young people about AI, what it can do and how they might play a role in shaping its future. “It’s a tool we can shape to build a better world,” he said. “It’s not AI that will inevitably define us – we will define how AI is used.
Inside and Beyond the Classroom
The program introduced students to the fundamentals of AI in a structured way – mornings featured lectures on core concepts such as linear algebra, regression, classification, and neural networks, while afternoons were devoted to lab sessions where students put theory into practice, writing code, and running models.
“Watching equations transform into working algorithms was incredibly rewarding,” said an 11th grader from a public high school in Shanghai. “It’s very different from self-studying, because whenever we got stuck, professors and mentors were right there to guide us.”
The Professor of Practice in Computer Science Wilson Tam, one of the summer program instructors, said that classes were designed to create an immersive learning experience. “We built the fundamentals from the ground up,” he said. “In the labs, students got their hands dirty experimenting with code. We also encouraged them to actively use AI throughout the process.” Industry talks and a company visit further broadened students’ horizons.
At Amazon’s Shanghai office, students were able to learn from professionals and ask about product development and emerging trends. “Seeing AI tools used in practice gave me a sense of how fast the field is moving, and what it might mean for the future of work,” said an 11th grader from a public high school in Beijing.
In the second half of the program, students teamed up to design and build their own AI applications from scratch. Under the guidance of faculty and peer mentors, they brainstormed ideas, wrote code, and tested prototypes. The final presentations showcased not only technical skill but also creativity and teamwork, ranging from practical applications to playful experiments.
Mentorship and Connection
Working closely with NYU Shanghai professors was a new experience for many of the students. “I experienced a very close connection between faculty and students,” said a 10th grader from a public high school in Shanghai. “It’s not just about lectures. Professors spent time with us after class, patiently answering our questions. At first I felt nervous talking one-on-one with them, but over time it became natural.”
Students also received support from 6 peer mentors, current NYU Shanghai undergraduate students who supported the program as both mentors and companions. They spent months preparing for the program, designing creative ice-breaking activities and campus tours. During the summer program, they guided students in their coding projects and organized sports games.
Peer mentor Sienna Ni ’27 said she even helped out a student late at night on a coding challenge. “I didn’t just give them the solution,” she said. “Instead, I offered hints and encouraged them to figure it out step by step. That way, they gained confidence in their own problem-solving.”
For the high school students, peer mentors were role models: knowledgeable, approachable, and inspiring. The mentors themselves also grew from the experience. “Being a peer mentor made me more certain about my own career path,” Sienna added. “I realized how much I enjoy teaching and building connections with students. It reaffirmed my dream of becoming a professor.”
A Glimpse of University Life
For many of the students, the summer program was their first real taste of university life. They studied all hours in the library, eating in the cafeteria, and exploring NYU Shanghai’s modern facilities. During breaks students played badminton, recorded videos for social media and just hung out with their peers.
The AI Summer Program was more than just a two-week academic program. By combining rigorous academic content, close mentorship, real-world exposure, and immersion in campus life, the program offered high schoolers an authentic glimpse into a bright academic and professional future. It also opened their eyes to a new way of looking at the world. “That mindset of curiosity and empowerment is what I hope they carry with them,” said Dean Memon.