15 AI Internships for High School Students in North Carolina
If you’re a high school student exploring future career paths, internships can be a practical way to gain experience beyond the classroom. Working in an internship helps you build real-world skills, strengthen your resume, and better understand how academic interests translate into professional fields. If you’re interested in artificial intelligence, internships offer early insight into how AI is used in areas such as data analysis, research, healthcare, and technology development. Many AI internships for high school students in North Carolina include structured mentorship, project-based learning, and opportunities to collaborate with professionals working in the field.
What AI internships are available for high school students in North Carolina?
North Carolina offers a variety of AI-related internship opportunities for high school students. Many AI internships for high school students in North Carolina involve research-based projects, exposure to machine learning tools, and mentorship from professionals working in technology and data science. Some programs are fully in person, while others include virtual or hybrid components that increase accessibility. Together, these internships provide a structured way for students to explore artificial intelligence while developing skills that support future academic and career goals.
We’ve put together a list of 15 AI Internships curated on the basis of quality of overall experience, cost & mentor quality.
If you’re looking for virtual AI internships, check out our blog here. For those interested in summer-specific programs, check out the list here.
1. Wake Forest University Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute
Location: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Cost/Stipend: $3,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 7-12 and June 21-26
Application Deadline: Not specified (Opens November 1)
Eligibility: Current 9th - 12th grade students
The Wake Forest Artificial Intelligence Institute is an on-campus summer immersion program that introduces high school students to the technical and societal foundations of artificial intelligence. You explore topics such as machine learning, robotics, natural language processing, and AI ethics through interactive workshops and guided discussions. The program focuses on hands-on learning, with students collaborating on AI-driven projects like chatbot development, data analysis, and ethics simulations. You engage with faculty members and guest speakers from academia, industry, and policy who share real-world perspectives on AI applications and governance. You also experience site visits to innovation and technology hubs to see how AI is applied outside the classroom. Throughout the week, you work closely with peers in an immersive residential setting.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: 100% Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies by program type; 100% financial aid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Program Dates: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter cohorts
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary - Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap-year students who can commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships place you in a fully remote role with an early-stage or rapidly growing start-up. You work closely with a company manager across fields such as technology, AI and machine learning, health tech, marketing, journalism, or consulting. Your responsibilities involve contributing to ongoing projects, helping you develop practical, real-world skills while supporting the organization’s work. Since many partner companies operate in fast-paced growth environments, you gain insight into the demands and culture of start-up teams. Throughout the internship, you collaborate with professionals, build core workplace skills, and complete a final presentation highlighting your contributions. The virtual format allows you to participate from anywhere while gaining meaningful professional experience.
3. Research Ignited AI Scholars Program
Location: Virtual (Online)
Cost/Stipend: $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: December 6
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (cohort-based)
Eligibility: High school students; no prior programming experience required
The Research Ignited AI Scholars Program is a virtual, instructor-led course that introduces you to artificial intelligence and machine learning through live, interactive sessions. You learn foundational AI concepts alongside Python programming and commonly used data science libraries through guided coding walkthroughs and hands-on activities. The program includes group work and project-based learning, allowing you to apply concepts such as regression, classification, computer vision, and natural language processing. Throughout the course, instructors with academic and industry experience provide instruction and guidance during live sessions. You also explore AI ethics, bias, and responsible development as part of the curriculum. The program concludes with a final AI project and a certificate of completion.
4. NC State Global Training Initiative – Online Research Academy (High School)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $1,295 (early bird discount and partial scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – July 31
Application Deadline: June 15
Eligibility: High school students (rising grade 10 or higher)
The NC State Online Research Academy is a 4-week virtual program that introduces you to college-level research through an independent project guided by a university faculty mentor. You work on an interdisciplinary research topic of your choice, with options spanning computer science, engineering, finance, and social sciences. Throughout the program, you apply core research methods by designing, executing, and refining a substantial research project rather than focusing solely on lectures. Regular online meetings with a faculty mentor provide structured feedback and help you develop academic writing, analysis, and presentation skills. You are expected to dedicate 5–10 hours per week to project work and collaboration. Upon successful completion, you receive an NC State University program certificate and a faculty evaluation letter reflecting your research performance.
5. Camp Tech Revolution – Artificial Intelligence Tracks
Location: Fusion Academy, Charlotte, North Carolina
Cost/Stipend: $699–$799 per week (varies by AI course)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Students ages 6–14 (AI courses typically for ages 10–14)
Camp Tech Revolution offers week-long, in-person artificial intelligence courses designed to introduce you to core AI concepts through structured, hands-on activities. In AI-focused tracks such as Artificial Intelligence 101, AI Innovators: Machine Learning, ChatGPT & More, and Python & Artificial Intelligence, you work on guided projects that explore how AI systems are built and applied. Instruction emphasizes experiential learning, allowing you to experiment with machine learning ideas, automation logic, and basic AI tools rather than passive lectures. You collaborate with peers in small groups, supported by instructors in a low student-to-staff ratio environment. Each course follows a project-based format, where you apply concepts to complete practical exercises by the end of the week.
6. N.C. Department of Information Technology – Future Technologist Internship
Location: Onsite or Hybrid (North Carolina)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $20 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer and year-round opportunities
Application Deadline: Not specified (Applications open January 26)
Eligibility: High school students; individuals with limited technology-related education or experience. Candidates living in North Carolina or who are within a 3-hour commute of the assigned duty station are preferred
The N.C. Department of Information Technology’s Future Technologist Internship allows you to gain real-world exposure to technology roles within a state government setting. During the internship, you work alongside professionals across different IT divisions, contributing to day-to-day operations and learning how large-scale public technology systems function. Your responsibilities may include assisting with technical projects, supporting operational tasks, and observing how technology is used to serve communities. The program focuses on practical skill development, workplace collaboration, and professional communication. This internship is designed to help you build foundational experience while exploring potential pathways in the technology field.
7. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual (Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine & Imaging)
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee; $2,400 program fee if accepted; financial aid available (can cover up to full cost)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 15 - 26, July 6 - 17
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school students (entering grades 9–12 in Fall), over age 14 by program start (Strong preference is given to students with math, coding, or healthcare project experience).
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a 2-week, fully virtual program that introduces participants to the role of artificial intelligence in medicine and medical imaging. You participate in a combination of introductory and advanced lectures led by researchers from the Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine & Imaging. You work in groups with students on research projects focused on real-world healthcare applications of AI. In addition to academic learning, the internship offers structured networking sessions, informal conversations, and career-focused events, such as lunches with professionals from academia, industry, government, and nonprofit sectors. Upon completion, participants earn a Certificate of Completion, and students who demonstrate exceptional involvement may be invited to pursue independent research opportunities.
8. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual (George Mason University)
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; $1,299 program fee for accepted students; need-based fee waivers available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school students at least 15 years old by the program start date; some research areas may require participants to be 16 or older.
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) offers a virtual research experience that allows you to work remotely with a George Mason University faculty mentor on an original research project. During the internship, you engage in research tasks such as data analysis, computational modeling, literature review, or project design, depending on your mentor’s focus area. The program emphasizes skill development in scientific writing, research communication, and critical thinking through structured virtual meetings and guided mentorship. You also participate in online discussion forums and professional development sessions that explore STEM careers and research pathways. Throughout the program, you collaborate with mentors and peers as you work toward a formal research outcome. The experience concludes with a virtual poster presentation, giving you the opportunity to present your work in an academic research setting.
9. Stanford AI4ALL
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: $4,120 (financial aid is available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 15 - 26
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Rising 10th graders (or current 9th graders), 14+ years old; preference for students with math or computer skills
Stanford AI4ALL is a 2-week virtual program that introduces high school students to artificial intelligence through a blend of lectures, mentorship, and hands-on research. During the program, you explore AI applications in fields such as robotics, computer vision, medical AI, and natural language processing while working on projects that address real-world problems. You collaborate closely with other students, learn from experienced AI professionals, and apply AI tools to socially relevant challenges. The curriculum highlights teamwork, critical thinking, and ethical perspectives in AI development. By the end of the program, participants build a foundational understanding of AI and present the outcomes of their projects.
10. AEOP High School Internships
Location: Various U.S. Army Research Labs and university research centers nationwide Cost/Stipend: No cost; Stipend paid, varies by site
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; more than 300 interns across locations Dates: 5 - 10 weeks; typically June - August
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Current high school students or graduating seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; site-specific requirements apply.
AEOP matches interns with university faculty or Department of Defense scientists to participate in hands-on research projects in laboratory environments. You work closely with a mentor, often one-on-one, and use lab equipment while completing tasks that may include programming, data analysis, or machine learning. The program provides firsthand exposure to both university and DoD research settings under expert guidance. Unless otherwise specified by a host site, students are responsible for their own housing and travel arrangements. In addition to on-site research, AEOP offers virtual workshops and professional development sessions coordinated by the Rochester Institute of Technology.
11. EDIT AI High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Summer (timeline includes interviews, onboarding, and summer internship period)
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school students with a background in computer science and prior exposure to machine learning or deep learning pipelines; familiarity with Python or R is expected.
The EDIT AI High School Summer Internship Program focuses on applying artificial intelligence to real clinical and pathology research problems. During the program, you work on guided research projects involving high-dimensional medical data such as pathology images, clinical text reports, genomics, and multi-omics datasets. You collaborate with faculty researchers and clinicians while developing skills in programming, data analysis, and algorithm development using tools like Python, R, and high-performance computing systems. The program includes lectures and seminars that introduce research methods and ethical considerations in medical AI. You also gain experience communicating findings to a clinical research audience and may contribute to scientific writing or publication-oriented work.
12. Lady Cardinal Mentorship Program (NC Department of Administration)
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $1,700 stipend upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 15 students per cohort
Dates: July 6 - 31
Application Deadline: Not publicly stated
Eligibility: North Carolina high school girls in grades 9–12
The Lady Cardinal Mentorship Program is a summer enrichment internship that introduces you to STEM-related careers within the North Carolina state government. You spend full-time work weeks splitting your time between shadowing women leaders across state agencies and collaborating with fellow mentees on a group project centered on artificial intelligence. The program emphasizes mentorship, exposure to public-sector STEM roles, and applied learning in real-world settings. You also participate in structured enrichment activities such as lunch-and-learn sessions and site visits to various government departments. Participating agencies span areas like information technology, environmental quality, health services, and public safety, allowing you to see how technology supports government operations.
13. 3D Printing & Modeling with Blender – iD Tech Camps
Location: North Carolina State University
Cost/Stipend: Paid tuition program starting at $1449
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small instructor-led cohorts (exact size not publicly specified)
Dates: 1-week sessions offered across the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until sessions fill
Eligibility: Ages 13–17 (must turn 13 by December 31); beginner to advanced skill levels; no prerequisite required
In this one-week program, you explore the fundamentals of 3D modeling and 3D printing using Blender and a professional-grade 3D printer. You begin by learning how to design objects with Blender’s modeling and sculpting tools, creating items such as keychains, desk organizers, or character models. As you develop your designs, you prepare them for printing and observe how digital models are turned into physical objects through the 3D printing process. The program also introduces practical aspects of operating and maintaining a 3D printer, including troubleshooting common print issues. With guidance from instructors, you refine your designs and experiment with various printable creations, including articulated or movable models. By the end of the session, you will have produced several printed objects and gained experience in the workflow from digital modeling to finished physical prototypes.
14. Python Coding & AI Agents – iD Tech Camps
Location: North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
Cost/Stipend: Paid program, tuition starting at $1,349
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohorts with instructor-led groups (exact size not specified)
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions held between mid-June and late July
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until sessions fill
Eligibility: Ages 13–17 (must turn 13 by December 31); beginner to intermediate level; no prerequisite required
In this one-week program, you learn the fundamentals of Python programming while exploring how artificial intelligence tools can be integrated into real applications. You begin with core coding concepts such as loops, functions, lists, and dictionaries, then use Python to build console-based programs. As the course progresses, you experiment with integrating OpenAI tools to create AI-powered features such as chatbots and interactive games. Through guided projects, you may develop applications such as a guessing game, a riddle generator, or a simple recommendation system powered by an AI agent. Instructors guide discussions on topics like AI ethics, privacy, and responsible design while students refine prompts and test how AI responds in their programs. By the end of the program, you will complete a take-home project demonstrating the Python and AI concepts explored during the course.
15. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Camp
Location: Keim Center, Innovation Lab
Cost/Stipend: $325
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: June 9–13
Application Deadline: Not publicly specified
Eligibility: Students in rising 6th–8th grades
This artificial intelligence camp introduces you to the fundamentals of how computers learn from data and make decisions. You explore core machine learning concepts through hands-on activities, working primarily with tabular datasets to train simple models. Using tools such as AI Lab and App Lab, you build and test machine learning models that can be integrated into basic applications. The program also examines real-world uses of AI, including accessibility-focused technologies like Seeing AI. Throughout the camp, you develop a machine learning app centered on a problem that is personally relevant to you. The experience emphasizes experimentation, foundational technical skills, and practical understanding of how AI systems work.
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