Course Title:
AI Internship
UC Subject Category: Interdisciplinary (G)
Delivery Mode: Online
Grade Levels: 11–12
Credits: 5 or 10 UC-Approved High School Credits (based on internship hours and scope)
Prerequisites: Completion of at least one foundational AI course (e.g., Python and AI, AI Technology Honors), instructor approval, and placement with an approved industry or academic partner
Course Description:
AI Internship provides students with the opportunity to apply their artificial intelligence knowledge in authentic, real-world environments through supervised internships with AI-focused companies, academic labs, or nonprofit organizations. This course bridges classroom learning with practical experience, empowering students to engage in hands-on projects in machine learning, data analysis, computer vision, natural language processing, or AI ethics research.
Students work remotely under the guidance of an industry mentor and an LCP faculty advisor. In addition to their internship tasks, students participate in structured weekly reflections, goal-setting exercises, and skill development modules on project management, communication, and ethical decision-making in AI. They maintain a professional portfolio and submit a final presentation and project report at the end of the internship.
The course emphasizes independent responsibility, collaborative problem-solving, and ethical engagement with AI technologies, preparing students for further academic study and future careers in tech and innovation.
Syllabus Overview: AI Internship
| Unit | Topics & Focus Areas | Key Activities & Assessments |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1: Internship Preparation | Professional expectations, digital communication, goal setting | Resume workshop, internship agreement, personal goal statement |
| Unit 2: Orientation & Project Planning | Understanding the host organization’s mission and AI application | Internship project plan, timeline, introductory reflection |
| Unit 3: Weekly Reflection & Progress Logs | Weekly task summaries, challenges, and achievements | Structured weekly journal entries, mentor check-ins |
| Unit 4: Ethics in Practice | Responsible AI, bias mitigation, data privacy, user impact | Case study analysis, ethics response journal |
| Unit 5: Skill-Building Modules | Domain-specific topics based on internship (e.g., NLP, CV, UX, AI in healthcare) | Asynchronous mini-lessons or readings; technical discussion responses |
| Unit 6: Midterm Review | Progress report and refinement of project direction | Midpoint evaluation from mentor and self-assessment |
| Unit 7: Final Project Delivery | Completion of assigned tasks, documentation, portfolio creation | Internship deliverables, code/notebooks, written reflection |
| Unit 8: Final Presentation & Portfolio Submission | Sharing results and reflecting on learning outcomes | Slide presentation, portfolio, final evaluation by mentor and instructor |
Student Responsibilities
- Work 5–10 hours per week (minimum of 60 hours for 5 credits, 120 hours for 10 credits)
- Attend bi-weekly check-ins with LCP faculty advisor
- Submit all reflections, logs, and assignments via Canvas LMS
- Maintain professional conduct and communication with mentor organization
Assessment & Grading
- Weekly Reflections and Logs – 20%
- Midpoint Progress Report – 15%
- Ethics & Skill-Building Assignments – 15%
- Internship Work Product / Deliverables – 25%
- Final Portfolio and Presentation – 25%
Note: Mentor evaluations and student engagement are included in all relevant categories.
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will:
- Demonstrate the ability to apply AI concepts and tools to real-world problems
- Collaborate professionally with mentors and peers in a remote work environment
- Analyze ethical considerations in AI through case-based and experiential reflection
- Develop self-management, communication, and documentation skills
- Create a digital portfolio showcasing applied AI learning and contributions