AI Ventures
Build the skills to turn an idea into a real AI-powered produc. Learn prompting, agents, and modern prototyping including teamwork, problem-solving, and responsible AI habits.
AI Ventures helps students move from 'I have an idea' to 'I can build and launch it' using modern AI workflows. Students gain a practical understanding of how large language models and agents can be used inside real products, and how to guide these systems with clear prompting, constraints, and iteration. The program strengthens core product-building skills that matter for school, internships, and future work: defining a user problem, making thoughtful design choices, translating requirements into a working interface, and improving reliability through testing and feedback.
Students build professional habits: team collaboration, technical communication, documentation, and version control, while learning responsible AI practices such as privacy-aware design, safe data handling, and appropriate tool use. By the end, students leave with a stronger technical portfolio, greater confidence building with AI, and a clearer sense of how to create useful technology for real users.
Program Details
Start Date
June 22, 2026
End Date
August 7, 2026
Duration
6 weeks
Program Times
5:00 - 7:00 PM PST
Program Cost
$1000
Program Information
Prerequisites
- Programming experience (Python or Java)
- Comfort using GitHub (or willingness to learn basic Git workflow)
- Interest in building software products and learning applied AI workflows
Program Format
- Live online sessions 2:00 - 4:00 PM PST
- Mondays (Live): Lecture + examples + weekly objective, scope checks, and task planning
- Team Work Time (Asynchronous): Students collaborate in teams on weekly deliverables
- Thursdays (Live): Team demos + peer review + instructor feedback + next-step planning
- Ongoing Support: Instructor/TA support via dedicated Slack channels
Curriculum Highlights
- AI Product Foundations: Understand how large language models, agents, and tool use power real applications, and when AI is (and is not) the right solution
- AI-Assisted Ideation & Product Scoping: Learn practical frameworks to identify a user problem, define success criteria, and scope an idea into a buildable MVP
- Prompt Engineering & Vibe Coding Essentials: Practice system prompts, iteration strategies, and lightweight evaluation, while using AI tools to accelerate development responsibly
- MVP App Building: Build a small product with a one-page UI or chat interface, an agent workflow to process user inputs, simple backend storage, and well-known API integrations (with optional email and Stripe)
- Responsible Launch & Capstone Showcase: Apply privacy-aware design and basic security hygiene (including safe handling of API keys), deploy to the DIYA cloud, and present the final product build and lessons learned at the culmination event
Sample Projects
Throughout the program, students explore various project examples to inspire their own builds and understand different AI application patterns. These sample projects demonstrate the types of products students can create using the skills learned in AI Ventures.
- Study Plan Generator + Check-in Bot — weekly plan + daily check-ins; stores progress; calendar-style summary
- Club Event Assistant — create events, RSVP tracking, email confirmations, simple event page
- Local Volunteer Finder — match interests to opportunities using a public dataset/API; save favorites
- Personal Portfolio Builder (Student Edition) — guided content collection + one-page site generator; stores drafts
- Debate Prep Workspace — claim/evidence organizer; generates structured outlines; stores sources and revisions
- Meal Planner + Shopping List — constraints-based planning; exports list; stores preferences
- Campus Navigation Helper — Q&A interface + map links (if using a mapping API); stores frequent places
- Micro-Habit Coach — user chooses a goal; agent suggests small steps; progress stored with streaks
- Team Project Standup Bot — collects updates; summarizes into a weekly report; posts to a shared channel/email
Meet the Instructors
Anjana Manian is a technology leader and educator with extensive experience in software engineering, AI applications, and product development. She is passionate about empowering students to build real-world solutions using modern AI tools while emphasizing responsible development practices, clear communication, and thoughtful problem-solving. Anjana guides students through the complete product development cycle—from ideation and scoping to building, testing, and launching—helping them develop both technical skills and professional habits that translate to academic and career success.
Priya Parthasarathy is an experienced technology professional and educator specializing in data science, machine learning, and AI product development. With a strong background in building scalable solutions and mentoring students, Priya brings practical expertise in translating complex technical concepts into accessible learning experiences. She is committed to helping students develop confidence in their technical abilities, practice effective collaboration, and understand how AI can be applied responsibly to create meaningful impact.
Program Registration
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