Future Leaders of AI

July 20-24, 2026 Rose Hill

Non-Credit Course

Explore the exciting world of AI and its potential impact on the future in this immersive 5-day summer program. Through a combination of lectures, hands-on activities, guest speaker sessions, and a personal interest project, participants will come face to face with the powerful potential of Artificial Intelligence while developing an understanding of specific ways that AI can be harnessed in an area of special interest.

Skills/Learning Outcomes

Students will get to:

  • Learn to code for AI.
  • Participate in hands-on projects using AI.
  • Meet professionals and students from across the region interested in the same topic.

Overall Takeaways

  • What problem can AI help you solve? By working in small groups, you will develop a project that applies AI concepts to address a real-world problem or challenge.
  • Presentation skills: At the last meeting, you will present your project ideas, allowing you to showcase your understanding of AI principles and demonstrate the potential positive impact of AI towards a problem or opportunity of special interest. 

Instructor Bio

Dr. Craig Vezina is a global education leader, tech for good entrepreneur, and global advocate for sustainable development. With over two decades of experience in international education, Craig has worked with schools and organizations across the globe, bringing innovation to the forefront of learning. He is the founder of The Spaceship, a sustainability-focused startup that leverages cutting-edge AI and sustainability expertise to help organizations embed environmental responsibility into their core operations. Craig holds a PhD in International Diplomacy and Strategy and has a strong passion for fostering future-facing education, particularly in the areas of technology, sustainability, and ethical leadership. As a course instructor, he is known for blending practical, hands-on learning experiences with deep discussions on the social impact of technology. Craig’s forward-thinking approach empowers students to envision and create solutions that benefit both people and the planet. He is a recognized advocate for impact innovation education and frequently presents at prominent global events, including Harvard’s Global Development Group’s Future of Learning Panel, SXSWedu, ChangeNow Summit, and the UN Festival of Action. In addition, Craig contributes to the OECD’s Education & Skills 2030 Global Forum and serves on the Global Advisory Board for the non-profit Education for Sharing. 

Course Schedule

  • Morning Session:

    • Welcome and Program Overview
    • Artificial Intelligence: Foundations
    • Historical Context: Evolution of AI

    Afternoon Session:

    • AI vs. Human Intelligence
    • Types of AI: Narrow vs. General
    • Practical Applications of AI in Everyday Life

  • Morning Session:

    • Guest Speaker 1: AI for Good
    • Importance of Ethics in AI
    • Bias and Fairness in AI Algorithms
    • Privacy Concerns and Data Security

    Afternoon Session:

    • Case Studies and Guest Speaker 2: Ethical Dilemmas in AI
    • Group Discussions and Reflection
    • Personal interests: Hands-on Project Work, What tools could you use to build an AI Chat Bot?
    • Guest Speaker 3: AI Frontiers
    • Student Presentations

  • Morning Session:

    • Overview of Programming Languages in AI
    • Introduction to Python for AI
    • Basic Python Syntax, Variables, Control Structures, Functions, Hands-on Coding Exercises

     

  • Morning Session:

    • Impact of AI on Industry and Job Market
    • Forward Horizons: AI in Research and Development

    Afternoon Session:

    • Presentation Prep

Course Details

Future Leaders of AI
July 20-24, 2026, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Rose Hill Campus
Instructor: Vezina

Course Number: SULA 0110 RN3
CRN: 16470

This non-credit course is open to high school students only.

Tuition

Residential: $2,086.00
Tuition for the residential program includes the course, course materials, housing, meals, and excursions in and outside of class. Move-in is Sunday afternoon, the day before classes begin. Please click here for a more detailed calendar of important dates.

Commuter: $1,418.00
Tuition for commuters includes the course, course materials, lunches, and excursions in and outside of class. Additional meals are available on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Students may wish to bring funds for incidentals, shopping at the Fordham Bookstore, souvenirs, and any personal items they wish to purchase.

 

Apply

Application deadlines:

Course and housing: May 1, 2026; course only: May 15, 2026. Please note that admission decisions are rolling until the class is full, and course caps are around 20 students. Apply by April 1, 2026 to be considered for a limited number of need-based discounts. We recommend early application.

Application Requirements: this non-credit course is open to high school students who have completed their first year. The course is recommended for those with a 3.0 or better. No prior experience with the subject matter is required.

To apply, you will need a copy of your high school transcript and your fall report card if the grades are not reflected on your transcript.

Please make note of the course details above because you will select your course as part of your application.

There is a $75 fee to apply and a $300 deposit to secure your seat. Housing requires a $50 deposit. All payments will be treated as deposits toward your final bill.

Apply

If you are not ready to apply, you can sign up to stay informed about the Fordham Summer Leaders Academy too, or email us with questions!

Immersion 3 Resident Move-In/Move-Out

Date  Resident Information
June 26 All medical forms and consents due
July 19 Move-in between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., all Immersion 2 students 
July 25 Move-out between 6 and 9 p.m., Immersion 2 One-Week students
July 31 Move-out before 10 a.m., Immersion 2 Two-Week students

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