AI & Real-World Application

Objective

Your first week focuses on building a practical foundation in artificial intelligence. You will connect with a local organization to identify a challenge in your new community—like product development at a startup, access to urban green spaces, or food pantries—and begin brainstorming potential prototypes of solutions. Through your in-class lessons and time in the field, you’ll begin to understand the people, systems, and contexts connected to a complex problem while developing ethical and grounded practices for working with AI.   

Alongside fellow Global Navigators, you’ll conduct real-world observations to identify examples of AI or digital solutions and analyze their impact on society. By the end of this week, you’ll be equipped with the foundational knowledge and ethical mindset needed to thrive in the evolving landscape of technology and innovation. 

Highlights 

• Explore how AI and data systems shape daily life through a real-time observation exercise  
• Take an urban planning tour of Shanghai, visiting the Bund and the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition  
• Join a hands-on pottery class to create your own ceramic artwork

Objective  

In your second week, you will move from understanding a problem to imagining and shaping possible solutions. You will learn practical prototyping methods as you and your team research a potential solution for the local organization. Together, you will generate ideas, compare approaches, and begin identifying prototypes of solutions that are both creative and realistic.  

As you continue in your program, you learn the importance of iteration: trying ideas, gathering feedback, and improving them through reflection and revision. Through it all, you will learn to use AI as a support tool to help reframe challenges and refine concepts, helping you develop the confidence to communicate your ideas clearly.   

Highlights 

• Join a community service project that applies AI to everyday life 
• Visit a renowned local theater for a hands-on Chinese opera workshop 
• Take an overnight visit to Wuxi 
• Train with local Kung Fu Masters for a Chinese martial arts workshop

Objective  

In your final week, you will refine your prototype, learning how to sharpen its reasoning and clearly communicate the story of its solution. You will use AI as a partner to help organize ideas, improve the clarity of your reasoning, and tailor your message specifically to the partner organization.   

You will also reflect on what you have learned about responsible AI use, teamwork, human-centered design, and engaging with real-world challenges in an international setting. Together, these experiences equip you with the skills and insights to approach future challenges with creativity, empathy, and responsible innovation. 

Highlights 

• Sample teas and learn about Chinese tea culture with local shop owners  
• Learn basic techniques of China’s national sport, table tennis, from local instructors 
• Join a field reflection to discuss how Shanghai’s influenced your view of AI in the real world 
• Take a cruise on the Huangpu River 

Monday–Friday  

Each day offers a balance between interactive instruction and cultural activities with time on your own, too. Morning classes and afternoon activities may swap places. 

• Breakfast at your homestay  
• Hands-on training with local instructors and industry experts 
• Real-world observations with community organizations  
• Lunch with your fellow Global Navigators  
• Out and about for a cultural activity or workshop  
• Dinner with your host family  

Weekends  

• Overnight or day excursions to top sites  
• Quality time with friends     

Housing  

• Carefully-screened homestay