Artificial Intelligence
A UChicago education gives you the skills you need to succeed in the age of AI, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication. The University partners with leading AI employers - ranging from top tech firms like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft to up-and-coming AI startups - to create opportunities for students in the new AI economy.
The Careers in AI program provides additional support to help you build the AI skills you need for your specific career path. Students of all career interests and all levels of technical skill welcome!
Image: Students visit GitHub headquarters on a Computer Science & Data Science Career Exploration Week program in San Francisco.
AI Career Courses
No technical background required
This four-part workshop series builds the mental models and vocabulary that make AI integration work. Students learn to identify where AI creates leverage, design agent architectures on paper, and evaluate AI outputs critically. The project focus is personal: each student works on a workflow from their own life or academic work.
Offered quarterly: next cohort will be admitted in Fall 2026
Pre-requisite: complete Level 1 or pass a skills assessment
The AI Agent Management career course applies the mental models from the AI Integration course by building and shipping a working AI agent in an employer-centric context. Teams of 2-4 select a project from a curated brief library of real business workflows (or pitch their own, subject to approval), build through a structured sprint cycle with formal gate checks, and present at Demo Day. The project focus shifts from personal to employer: students solve problems that look like what they would encounter in a first job or internship.
Offered quarterly: next cohort will be admitted for Fall 2026
Open to 2nd and 3rd years; previous technical experience and coursework required
In collaboration with instructors from the Data Science Institute, students will complete four workshops focused on skills required for technical AI roles at leading tech firms. They will gain hands on experience leveraging common foundational models and learn approaches to handling issues around hallucinations, operational guardrails, and AI-human interactions.
The AI in Finance Program is a selective, one-year program designed to prepare students for next-generation careers in finance by leveraging artificial intelligence. Cohort members will receive training in trading/finance and AI, connect with industry professionals through networking events, and create their own project portfolios in GitHub to help showcase their skills to employers.
UChicago students have full access to IBM’s SkillsBuild AI Campus Platform which includes on-demand classes and live sessions with employers. Learn to build a chatbot, discuss ethical considerations of AI, and hear from top companies like L’Oreal and the NBA about how they are using AI. To get started, students can register here with their UChicago email address and code IBMCHICAGO.
AI in Practice
Applications closed for Summer 2026
Open to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Years
Students in technical majors and with prior AI experience are encouraged to apply!
Students will complete a funded summer internship in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shenzhen, or other major metropolitan hub in the region. With a focus on AI, opportunities will include roles in business, finance, technology and startups.
Get experience with leading AI companies in the Bay Area! Students will complete part-time, remote internships engaging AI technologies across industries including in tech, finance, and startups. The program will kick-off with an in-person reception for students and employers at the Third Coast Foundry in San Francsico the week of September 14.
Open to students graduating between June 2027 and June 2029
Internship dates: September 2026 – May 2027
Commitment: 15-20 hours per week during the academic quarters
Applications will open in Summer 2026.
The Vibe Coding Hackathon features teams of College students from all majors, some who code and some who don't, who use AI Technology to imagine, design, and ship AI-driven solutions to real-world challenges.
Resources
Sign up for the Careers in AI newsletter for regular updates on upcoming events, internships, and more!
Download the AI Industry Guide for information on UChicago resources that can help you reach your goals!
Check out the Careers in AI Internship Collection on UChicago Handshake to view AI internships across a wide range of industries!
Explore opportunities on some of these startup or research job boards!
Students can sign-up for hour-long technical practice interviews to get ready for internship and full-time job interviews! Our team of practice interviewers includes graduate-level computer science students with experience at Citi, Amazon, Meta, Google, Microsoft, Qualcomm, and more! Students can visit this page to sign up.
Lucy Brennan, Assistant Director of Careers in Artificial Intelligence, supports students interested in careers developing and implementing AI technologies. She brings over 7 years of experience working at the intersection of society and technology, including leading student-centered program partnerships with companies such as Google, Facebook, Salesforce, and LinkedIn, and connecting early-stage startup founders across Chicagoland to the capital, networks, and knowledge needed to grow their businesses at P33. Lucy is energized by the possibilities AI introduces, and she is excited to support students in securing opportunities in this rapidly growing field. She is available for student appointments via Handshake or directly at lucybrennan@uchicago.edu.
Claire Silcox, Associate Director of Careers in Technology, is an experienced career adviser with a background in early talent recruiting and program management. At LinkedIn, she led recruitment for business, product, and engineering internships as well as new graduate and entry-level roles, Her expertise includes career exploration, job search and networking strategies, resume and cover letter reviews, LinkedIn profile optimization, and interview preparation. Students interested in computer science or artificial intelligence careers can schedule an advising appointment with Claire via Handshake or at csilcox@uchicago.edu.
Below are just a few examples of the exciting AI projects UChicago students are working on!
Meet AI Employers
This program will provide students with nontechnical or technical AI training (based on qualifications) and employer-led sessions introducing the variety of AI applications in the workplace as they prepare for internships and future careers in artificial intelligence.
Dates: September 22-24, 2025
Eligibility: Open to students graduating between December 2026- January 2029
Dates: September 16-18
Location: San Francisco, CA (Third Coast Foundry)
Open to students graduating between December 2026 and June 2029
Apply Here (Deadline: April 30)
Hosted at The Third Coast Foundry, The Polsky Center's new physical space in San Francisco for partner university-founded startups and teams traveling to the Bay Area, this program will provide students with AI tooling training across technical and non-technical tracks.
Afternoon sessions will welcome high-growth startups and leading tech firms for employer-led sessions introducing the variety of AI applications in the workplace and suggestions for how to secure AI-forward roles. Topics Include:
How to implement AI-driven tools and develop no-code agents to enhance workplace productivity
Build an understanding of how to leverage common foundational models for technical roles in AI
Develop relationships with future employers, including startups and leading technology firms
Travel to AI hubs around the world and meet employers! Treks are a great way to grow your network, explore how different employers are approaching AI, and stand out in your job and internship applications.
Visit this page to view all upcoming career treks.