Unfortunately, IDEAS will be on hiatus for 2025
We hope to bring it back in summer 2026!

AI, data science, and machine learning are increasingly a part of everyday life, and every sector of society. The headlines are filled with examples of AI and data science used for great benefits, but also leading to great harms. The IDEAS residential summer program will provide an opportunity for undergraduates to learn from world experts on data science, ethics, computer science, philosophy, law, and more. The program will help the next generation learn how to think critically and systematically about the ethical risks posed by these technologies, and how to responsibly develop AI and data science systems that benefit the many, not only the few.

Building on the success from previous years, the 2024 summer installation of:

IDEAS Boston will run from July 1st to July 12, 2024 at Northeastern University, in collaboration with Harvard University, in Boston.
IDEAS San Diego will run from August 4-17, 2024 at UC San Diego.

We are seeking to foster a rich and diverse community through these programs, including connections with a wide range of two- and four-year educational institutions.

Apply here for IDEAS 2024! (deadline: April 15, 2024)

Core Topics

Justice and fairness
Privacy
Explainability
Accountability
Reshaping our societies
and more...

2 Weeks

Week 1 will focus on core topics from both philosophical & technical perspectives.

Week 2 will apply those topics through group projects that examine practical methods to create more responsible AI and data science

Participant Support

Room & food during the program
Travel to/from program site (up to $500)
$1000 stipend for each two-week participant

Multi-disciplinary Experts

Learn from experts on data science, ethics, computer science, philosophy, law, and more, from a variety of sectors. See more.

Projects & Activities

Work on case studies and group projects, and start collaborative research projects in AI ethics
Multiple group activities with fellow participants
New friends & connections!

Two Coastal Cities

2 weeks in Boston at Northeastern University in collaboration with Harvard University
1or 2 weeks in La Jolla at UCSD (TBA)

Feedback from previous IDEAS participants

"IDEAS was a wonderful opportunity to engage in challenging discussions about the current and future states of AI ethics."
"The IDEAS summer program was a perfect balance of an educational and social experience"
"The IDEAS summer program was an experience that I will never forget...Everyday during this program I learned something valuable."
"This workshop is best for students who are ready to be engaged in topics of AI, privacy, and more, with opportunities to gain relationships with everyone else who participates."

Application process

We aim to have students from a broad range of backgrounds and interests, and so the IDEAS summer program has a lightweight application. We need some basic information about you (e.g., year in school, familiarity with various topics, etc.), as well as brief answers to two questions:
(1) Why are you interested in participating in the IDEAS summer program, and what diverse life experiences would you bring to the program?
(2) What do you hope to take back to your current institution, and how will those knowledge & skills help others?

There is no cost to apply.

Apply here for IDEAS!

Application deadline for IDEAS (both sites): Monday, April 15, 2024 by 11:59 pm "anywhere on Earth" (GMT-12)
Decision notifications: By Tuesday, April 30, 2024

International applicants: Because the IDEAS summer program does not grant credit or any official certification, you can attend on a tourist visa. Unfortunately, due to resource limitations, we are not able to provide assistance with securing a visa to attend the program.

Please email any questions to ideas.summer.program@gmail.com

The IDEAS program has been supported by