Wright State launches AI-focused summer camp for high school, incoming college students

Artificial intelligence — what it is, how it works and how to use it responsibly — will take center stage at Wright State University’s first-ever AI Summer Camp, hosted by the Raj Soin College of Business.

Open to both high school students and incoming first-year college students, the two-day camp offers a unique opportunity to explore AI through hands-on projects and collaborative learning in a fun atmosphere.

The camp will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 26 and 27, with sessions held in Rike Hall and the Student Success Center. Space is limited to 60 students. Registration details are available at business.wright.edu/events-and-orgs/summer-camps, with a deadline of June 13.

“This is one of the first AI summer camps in the region specifically designed for high school students,” said Don Hopkins, interim dean of the Raj Soin College of Business. “It’s a hands-on, engaging way to help students become familiar with AI and understand its growing impact on business and beyond.”

The camp will cover a broad range of topics, including:

• Fundamentals of AI and machine learning
• Writing and creating with generative AI
• Building simple AI models
• Conducting research using AI tools
• AI in decision-making
• Ethical considerations in the use of AI

“We want students to see AI as more than just a buzzword,” Hopkins said. “It’s a tool that is quickly becoming essential across industries, from finance and marketing to health care and defense. Understanding how to use it effectively and responsibly will be a major career advantage.”

This year’s camp is the first to receive sponsorship from the AES Ohio Foundation, underscoring the community’s investment in emerging technology education.

Hopkins emphasized that ethics will be a key component of the curriculum.

“It’s crucial to understand the risks and responsibilities that come with AI,” he said. “Generative AI doesn’t always know when it’s wrong. It can confidently produce incorrect information. And if users input confidential data, it may no longer be confidential.”

One of the key takeaways for students: AI itself won’t take your job, but someone who understands AI might.

“We often say in the College of Business: AI won’t replace you, but someone who knows how to use AI will,” Hopkins said. “It’s not about fear — it’s about being prepared. AI is here to stay, and it’s going to be a part of everything we do.”

The summer camp complements the new minor in business artificial intelligence offered by the Raj Soin College of Business and reflects broader efforts to integrate AI and business analytics across its curriculum.

“Our faculty is actively exploring new ways to incorporate AI into teaching and research,” Hopkins said. “This camp is just one of many steps we’re taking to help students and the region adapt to a rapidly changing world.”

Hopkins noted that Wright State’s focus on AI aligns with the needs of local industries, including Premier Health, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the region’s defense sector, all of which are expanding their use of AI technologies.

“AI is already helping diagnose patients and guide medical decisions,” he said. “It’s not a distant future — it’s here now. And Wright State is committed to being at the forefront of preparing the next generation of AI-savvy professionals.”