Discover How Teens Should Navigate Their Future with AI

Summary:

As digital natives, teens may be well-versed in navigating AI. But how are today’s teens navigating this influential technology, and how is it reshaping their lives? Also, how can they improve their computer science skills as they navigate AI?

Key Points:

• AI can help high school students navigate career exploration, emotional health, intelligent tutoring, and personalized learning.
• Most high schools offer a variety of computer science courses to enhance AI literacy.
• Courses available in high school may include introductory programming, AP Computer Science, and specialized areas such as game development, web design, and artificial intelligence.
• Computer science college prep courses are designed for those with an interest in AI and computer science. 
• Prelum, Powered by Kaplan, partners with top universities to offer high school students the chance to experience college-level work in a variety of fields, including computer science.

The world of artificial intelligence (AI) has undergone rapid evolution. Today, it is an integral part of daily life, especially for high school students. As digital natives, teens are well-versed in navigating AI. But how are today’s teens navigating this influential technology, and how is it reshaping their lives? Further, how can you, as a high school student, best use AI to your advantage?

In this article, you will discover how AI is transforming the high school experience and how high school students are learning to use AI in their studies and career paths. From investigating computer science and AI courses to discovering pre-college online courses in similar subjects, you have options. 

First, how can AI help you out now while in high school? 

Embracing AI While in High School

The following are just a few examples of how high school students can embrace AI. 

Career Exploration and Growth

AI can assist you with several facets of career exploration and growth:

• Personalized Career Exploration: AI platforms can analyze your interests, skills, and strengths to suggest career paths that align with your profiles. This personalization can help you discover career options you might not have considered otherwise.
• Real-Time Labor Market Insights: AI tools can provide you with up-to-date information on emerging career opportunities, job market trends, and in-demand skills. This will help you make informed decisions about your academic and career choices.
• Developing Skills: It can help you identify the skills required for specific careers and recommend resources, such as courses or certifications, to acquire those skills.
• Building Career Roadmaps: AI can help you create personalized plans that outline the necessary steps to achieve your career goals, including identifying relevant courses, extracurricular activities, and internship opportunities.

Personalized Learning Assistant

AI-powered tools are not just academic aids, but tailored learning companions. AI-powered platforms adjust the difficulty and content of lessons based on your performance and learning style, providing customized content and exercises to reinforce understanding.

Intelligent Tutoring Systems

AI-driven tutoring systems provide personalized guidance and support, offering real-time feedback and assistance tailored to your specific needs.

Personalized Content Creation 

AI can assist in crafting educational content tailored to your needs, including flashcards, quizzes, or lessons. This helps ensure you focus on areas where you need the most support, maximizing learning efficiency.

Mental Health: A Growing Concern Among Teens

In the digital age, mental health is a critical concern for students, especially with academic pressures, social media challenges, and growing anxieties about the future. AI is playing an increasingly significant role in helping students manage their emotional well-being. 

This is just another example of the benefits teens can gain from embracing AI. However, AI is not without its pitfalls.

“The goal is to cultivate informed users who approach AI tools with a critical lens, appropriate skepticism, understanding, and creativity. Young people should feel empowered to question AI recommendations, seek multiple sources for important decisions, recognize when human judgment and expertise remain irreplaceable, and even transform AI systems to create a more just world,” comments Brendesha Tynes, Ph.D., director of the Center for Empowered Learning and Development with Technology at the University of Southern California. 

Now that we’ve touched on skills teens can seek in AI, how can they get started?

AI Offerings to High School Students

Most high schools offer a variety of computer science courses to enhance AI literacy, which may include introductory programming, AP Computer Science, and specialized areas such as game development, web design, and artificial intelligence. However, with this new normal, educators and students must embrace the reality of what the future with AI entails. 

Beyond these offerings, dedicating time to online prep courses provides a boost for motivated high school students as they begin exploring college and beyond.

“Implementing comprehensive AI literacy requires coordinated action. Educators need to integrate AI understanding into core curricula spanning computer science, social studies, and ethics courses. This isn’t just about technical education—it’s about developing critical thinking skills that help teens navigate an AI-saturated information environment,” says APA Chief of Psychology Mitch Prinstein, Ph.D.

What courses are available?

Pre-College Online Courses from Prelum, Powered By Kaplan

Computer science college prep courses are designed for those with an interest in AI and computer science. Prelum, Powered by Kaplan, partners with top universities to offer high school students the chance to experience college-level work in a variety of fields. Specific to AI, the following courses provide relevant computer science experience to get you ahead.

Does the future of cybersecurity intrigue you? Then Georgetown University’s Pre-College Online Program is for you. Cybersecurity: Protecting Our Digital Future explores how cyberspace evolved and how the world of the dark web came to be. Learn from experts from the FBI and CISA. Review the web’s many vulnerabilities and how they’re being addressed. Learn how AI is impacting cybersecurity. Best of all, Georgetown offers a college credit version of this course.

Prelum partner Rice University is a member of the New Ivy League. Their Precollege Online Program offers a course in engineering that provides a comprehensive introduction to electrical and computer engineering. Learn about the many career opportunities available and the current advances in computer science.

If you have an interest in the intersection of computer science and medicine, then the University of Rochester’s Pre-College Online Program is a good fit. Biomedical Engineering: Solving the Body’s Challenges with Technology is an exciting blend of computer science and tech advances in medicine. Learn how to measure, collect, and display data and discover the important areas of medical innovation. If you want to understand the relationship between computer science, engineering, and medicine, this course is for you.

Or, perhaps video game design college prep intrigues you? Then the Rochester Pre-College Online Program invites you to try Intro to Video Game Design, where you’ll discover how digital games are built and the skills game designers and developers use. Learn the art of storytelling and the techniques used to embed puzzles, action-adventure, and drama.

All pre-college online courses offer a flexible format, allowing you to study at your own pace. Plus, you’ll be supported by mentors who will guide your learning experience. Successfully completing a course provides you with a Certificate of Completion that will look great on your college application.

Remember, AI is not a replacement—it’s a catalyst. It’s the tool that amplifies potential, making learning more personalized, accessible, and impactful. But like any tool, its true power lies in how we utilize it. When embraced thoughtfully, AI can transform education and unlock new pathways for personal and professional growth. Getting started with pre-college online courses is a step in the right direction. 

This was last reviewed by Ashley Simmons on 08/7/2025.