Table of Contents
- Key Highlights:
- Introduction
- Building Skills and Confidence
- Expanding Access to AI Education
- A Growing Hub for Tech and AI
- Why It Matters for Students
Key Highlights:
- The Mark Cuban Foundation, in partnership with Perficient, is offering a free AI Bootcamp for high school students in Plano, Texas, on November 1, 8, and 15, 2025.
- The program emphasizes hands-on experience in AI tools across various fields such as healthcare and the arts, and aims to build essential skills and confidence for navigating a tech-driven future.
- Applications are encouraged from underrepresented groups, with a focus on accessibility and support for local educators through a new Teacher Fellow initiative.
Introduction
In an era defined by rapid technological advancements, preparing the next generation for a future dominated by artificial intelligence is more critical than ever. To this end, the Mark Cuban Foundation, alongside Perficient, is launching an AI Bootcamp aimed at high school students in Plano, Texas. Scheduled for three consecutive Saturdays in November 2025, this initiative not only provides students with vital exposure to AI but also seeks to bridge the educational divide by making advanced tech education accessible to all.
The program, tailored for students in grades 9-12, emphasizes practical and interactive learning experiences. Held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, the bootcamp offers meals, transportation assistance, and necessary technology, thus removing common barriers to participation. Participants will engage directly with generative AI and explore its applications across a spectrum of industries, from healthcare to the creative arts.
Building Skills and Confidence
At the heart of the AI Bootcamp is a deep commitment to nurturing creativity and problem-solving abilities among students. Under the guidance of seasoned mentors from the technology sector, participants will embark on a capstone project designed to stimulate innovative thinking and teamwork.
Bill Davis, Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Ecosystem at Perficient, articulates the initiative's focal point: "AI is reshaping every industry, and we believe it’s essential to equip young minds with the tools to understand and shape that future." This perspective underscores the importance of fostering confidence and skills even for those who may not envision a career in tech. The program not only serves to enhance technical know-how but also aims to inspire a lasting curiosity about innovation that participants can carry forward into whatever fields they choose to pursue.
The newly introduced Teacher Fellow initiative will further bolster this educational program. By providing a paid year-long fellowship for local educators, this initiative addresses the need for enhanced AI instruction in classrooms across the region. This dual approach—targeting both students and teachers—ensures that the seeds of knowledge sown during the bootcamp will take root and flourish in educational settings throughout the community.
Expanding Access to AI Education
Since its inception in 2019, the Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp has made significant strides in democratizing access to advanced technological education. With a focus on inclusivity, the program targets students who may lack exposure to such resources, ensuring that all interested youths can explore the vast potential of AI.
Cuban emphasizes this core mission clearly: “Our goal is to ensure that every interested student, regardless of background or resources, can explore AI and its limitless possibilities.” This emphasis on inclusivity is especially salient in encouraging applications from underrepresented demographics, such as girls, students of color, first-generation college-goers, and those from low-income households. With an application deadline set for September 30, 2025, prospective participants are urged to visit markcubanai.org for additional details.
The proactive recruitment of diverse students not only aligns with the foundation's vision but also enriches the learning environment. By fostering a classroom filled with varied perspectives and experiences, the program enhances collaboration and innovation.
A Growing Hub for Tech and AI
The timing of the Plano bootcamp coincides with North Texas’s burgeoning reputation as a prime location for technology and AI investment. Cities like Sherman and Richardson are drawing national attention due to substantial commitments from tech giants. For instance, Apple is forming strategic partnerships with companies like GlobalWafers America for semiconductor fabrication and Coherent for advanced technologies related to Face ID capabilities.
Moreover, Texas Instruments is investing a staggering $60 billion in local semiconductor expansion, a sign of the region’s growing stature in tech manufacturing and innovation. Collectively, these developments bolster the area’s significance in the tech landscape, highlighting an increasing demand for a skilled workforce ready to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving job market.
Plano is at the center of this momentum. FiberLight, a provider of fiber optic networks, is relocating its headquarters to the city, while Aligned Data Centers is constructing a $700 million, 425,000-square-foot data center for Lambda Inc., a cloud computing enterprise backed by Nvidia. These significant investments are indicative of the transformative changes taking place, illustrating how the tech sector is reshaping the local economy.
Nvidia's focus on establishing U.S.-based AI supercomputers further solidifies North Texas as a key player in the evolving technological landscape. Their commitment to building a self-sustaining domestic supply chain for chips—from fabrication to testing—demonstrates the critical benchmarks being set within the region.
Why It Matters for Students
The AI Bootcamp represents more than just a series of weekend workshops for local high school students; it serves as a vital connection to the rapidly changing dynamics of their environment. As leading tech companies make significant investments in North Texas, the skills and knowledge students acquire through this program can directly influence their future career trajectories.
Participation in this bootcamp empowers students to tap into the region’s tech momentum, equipping them with the foundational skills necessary to thrive in a technology-driven economy. As emerging technologies, particularly AI, continue to redefine industries and create new opportunities, students who engage with this curriculum are better positioned to navigate those shifts.
The program embodies a forward-thinking approach, assisting young minds in visualizing pathways to careers that may not have been apparent previously. In a region burgeoning with opportunities, the AI Bootcamp serves as a launchpad for students with aspirations in technology, entrepreneurship, and beyond.
FAQ
What is the Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp? The AI Bootcamp is a free three-day program for high school students in grades 9-12, organized by the Mark Cuban Foundation and Perficient, featuring hands-on experience with AI tools and mentoring from industry professionals.
When does the AI Bootcamp take place? The bootcamp runs on November 1, 8, and 15, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
Who can apply for the program? The program is open to high school students in grades 9-12. Applications are especially encouraged from girls, students of color, first-generation college-goers, and low-income households.
How can students apply? Students can apply by visiting markcubanai.org. The deadline to apply is September 30, 2025.
What is the Teacher Fellow initiative? The Teacher Fellow initiative is a new component of the bootcamp designed to support local educators with a paid year-long fellowship aimed at strengthening AI instruction in classrooms.
Why is this program significant for students? This program not only provides technical skills relevant in today's job market but also fosters confidence and curiosity about AI and technological innovation in students.