UA Little Rock to Host AI and Mental Health Summer Camp for Students
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is launching its first-ever summer camp focused on artificial intelligence and mental health, bringing together high school and college students for a week of innovation and hands-on learning.
The AI & Mental Health Hackathon will host 30 high school students and 12 college students from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 9-13. Participants will explore how emerging AI technology can be used to address real-world mental health challenges during this free summer program. The summer program is sponsored by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
Students will form interdisciplinary teams to identify and tackle a mental health issue of their choice using AI tools and strategies. With support from mental health professionals and AI mentors, each team will develop a solution and present their ideas during a pitch competition at the end of the camp. The winning team will receive a cash prize.
“We want to show students that AI isn’t just about coding. It’s also about learning how to use this growing technology to solve real problems,” said Marla Johnson, UA Little Rock’s tech-entrepreneur-in-residence. “Mental health is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, and by connecting it with technology, we’re giving young people a chance to use their creativity and empathy in powerful ways.”
Each morning will feature joint sessions and AI courses, followed by lunch on campus. In the afternoons, teams will work on their projects in the Ottenheimer Library’s collaborative spaces, guided by mentors in both AI and mental health.
By the end of the week, every participant will earn an AI foundations certificate from UA Little Rock or an Advanced Certificate from NVIDIA, a global leader in AI computing.
Students of all backgrounds are welcome, and no prior AI experience is required. Teams will need a mix of creative thinkers, problem solvers, and software developers. Students are encouraged to bring a laptop, but computers will also be provided as needed.
Students who are interested in joining the AI and Mental Health Hackathon should complete the online application by May 5. For more information, contact Johnson at 501-551-0095 or [email protected].