Now Enrolling · 2026

AI + Design Course
From Prototyping to Publication

An exclusive research program in Human-Computer Interaction and AI, guided by Dr. Ted Selker — Stanford, MIT, and CMU professor with 71 patents and the Scientific American 50 Award. Bridge rigorous academic theory with hands-on design and original publication.

7+ hrs/week · 2 hrs Live Instruction
Small-Group Online Classes
Ages 14+ · CS Background
ACM SIGGRAPH & CHI Publications
Submit Parent Inquiry Form
About the Program

The Future of AI and Human Experience, Designed by You

This program presents an exclusive opportunity for dedicated students to engage in advanced study and original research in Human-Computer Interaction and Artificial Intelligence. Guided by Dr. Ted Selker — of Stanford, MIT, and CMU renown — participants bridge rigorous academic theory with hands-on design practice.

Students learn to create the future of AI and user experience using today's best tools. The curriculum covers experimental design, running and analyzing studies, and communicating findings at the level of top academic conferences.

The program culminates in a year-long mentored research project — positioning students for top-tier university admissions and a lifetime of creative, research-driven impact.

Program Mentor
Dr. Ted Selker
Dr. Ted Selker
Stanford · MIT · CMU
HCI, AI & Design Researcher

Distinguished Service Professor at CMU Silicon Valley, Associate Professor at MIT (10 years), and Lecturer at Stanford. Known for breakthrough product design and pioneering AI applications — from the TrackPoint pointing device to the conception of One Laptop per Child.

71
Patents
~150
Publications
37
Awards
Scientific American 50 Award — Computer Science Policy Leader · 300+ Invited Lectures
Class Schedule

Weekly Friday Sessions

2 hours per session · Online small-group format · No class on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day · Sessions start May 22, 2026 (ET/PT) and May 23, 2026 (Beijing Time)

🌎 Eastern Time
Fridays
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM ET
First session: May 22
🌊 Pacific Time
Fridays
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM PT
First session: May 22
🌏 Beijing Time (UTC+8)
Saturdays
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
First session: May 23
Small Class (1–5 Students)
8 sessions total — more intimate, accelerated pacing with deeper 1-on-1 interaction per session.
Standard Class (6–10 Students)
12 sessions total — broader peer collaboration and group critique with a full 12-week arc.
Your Mentor

About Dr. Ted Selker

Academic Career
  • →
    Distinguished Service Professor — CMU Silicon Valley
    5 years
  • →
    Associate Professor — MIT
    10 years · MIT Media Lab
  • →
    Consulting Associate Professor / Lecturer — Stanford
    5 years
  • →
    Research at IBM Almaden & T.J. Watson, Xerox PARC
    Also UC Berkeley, Columbia, NYU, University of Maryland, and more
Landmark Innovations
  • →
    TrackPoint pointing device — the red dot in the middle of major laptop keyboards, used by hundreds of millions
  • →
    One Laptop per Child — conception and first prototype of the famous $100 laptop for global education
  • →
    OS/2 SmartGuides and voting technology for accessibility
  • →
    Consulting for Amazon, Google, IBM, Philips, Sony and other global technology leaders
Why This Program

What You'll Experience

🎨
Create the Future of AI & UX

Use the best AI and user experience tools of our time. Dr. Selker has spent decades at the frontier of human-computer interaction — and he brings that frontier directly into your sessions.

🔬
Real Experimental Design

Learn how to design, run, and rigorously analyze experiments — the same skills used in top research labs. Go beyond surface-level projects to produce findings that actually contribute to the field.

📄
Publish at Top Conferences

Past students have published at ACM SIGGRAPH and ACM CHI — the most prestigious venues in computer graphics and human-computer interaction. Dr. Selker mentors you all the way to submission.

Student Success Stories

High Schoolers Who Made It to MIT

R
Robert
Age 16 → Admitted to MIT

At just 16, Robert published 2 research papers under Dr. Selker's mentorship — one presented at ACM SIGGRAPH, the premier conference in computer graphics.

Also wrote the back page article for the New York Times Magazine as a high school student.
M
Manas
Age 16 → Admitted to MIT

At 16, Manas contributed to a research project that was presented at ACM CHI — the world's top venue for human-computer interaction research.

Both students were admitted to MIT — directly on the strength of their research work with Dr. Selker.
Curriculum

12-Session Course Schedule

2 hours per week · Combining theory, hands-on practice, and research project development

Session 1
Introduction to AI and UX Design & Creative Thinking
Evolution of AI and UX; foundational ML/deep learning concepts; user-centered design philosophy; case studies in personalized recommendations and affective computing; what constitutes a "good idea."
Session 2
Discovering & Defining Problems: User Research and Academic Foundations
User research methods (interviews, questionnaires, observations); personas and problem statements; academic literature review — identifying what's been done and what gaps remain.
Session 3
AI Data Collection, Ethics, and Considerate Systems
Data types, collection methods, AI ethics (bias, privacy, transparency); California data privacy (CCPA/CPRA); Generative AI principles; designing "Considerate Systems" — AI that understands user intentions.
Session 4
AI-Driven Prototyping and The Learner's Apprentice Model
Concept generation, sketching, low-fidelity prototyping (paper, wireframes); simulating AI interactions; applying the "Learner's Apprentice" model — how AI can assist human learning and creation.
Session 5
AI Interaction Design, Information Architecture, and AI Communication
Conversational UI, recommendation systems, intelligent automation; information architecture for discoverability; using AI tools for writing assistance, content summarization, and data analysis.
Session 6
Medium-Fidelity Prototyping, User Testing, and AI-Enhanced Thinking
Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD prototyping; usability and A/B testing; iterative design; using AI to break out of fixed thinking patterns and explore new design solutions across domains.
Session 7
Affective Computing and User Experience & Multiple Perspectives
Emotion recognition and synthesis; adaptive interfaces; designing empathetic AI systems; evaluating design through the lens of users, designers, and developers simultaneously.
Session 8
Experimental Design and Data Analysis
Variable control, control groups; quantitative (statistical foundations, data visualization) and qualitative (thematic analysis) methods; the nature of experiments — simulation, user testing, market testing, and more.
Session 9
AI and Attention: Designing Focused Experiences & RAG/MCP
Attention mechanisms and cognitive load; AI for reducing distractions; RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) for knowledge accuracy; MCP (Modular Cognition Project) for flexible AI systems.
Session 10
Presenting Research Findings and Academic Writing
Academic paper structure and writing standards; data visualization and chart design; oral presentation and poster skills; journal submission process; what makes a great presentation.
Session 11
Project Iteration and Optimization
Extracting actionable improvements from user testing and data; creating high-fidelity prototypes; finalizing designs; deep focus on projects that demonstrate how AI broadens thinking and enables breakthroughs.
Session 12
Outcome Publication and Future Outlook
Final project demonstrations and defenses; cutting-edge trends in AI and design (Responsible AI, AI agents, multimodal interaction); career development and academic advancement paths; celebration and reflection.
Assessment Breakdown
40%
Project Prototypes & Design Docs
30%
User Research & Experimental Reports
20%
Final Presentation & Defense
10%
Class Participation & Discussions
Eligibility

Who Should Apply

🎒
Ages 14 and Up
Open to motivated students aged 14+ with a passion for design and technology.
💻
CS & Cognitive Science Background
Foundational knowledge in computer science and/or cognitive science. Interest in product design.
🧭
Self-Directed Learner
Strong self-directed learning ability and commitment of at least 5 hours per week of independent work.
Application Process
Parents complete the Inquiry Form to receive the full program catalog and pricing. Students then complete the Haddee Research Application Form. Selected students are invited for an interview before admission.
Limited Spots · Interview Required

Ready to Design the Future
with a World-Class Mentor?

Submit the Parent Inquiry Form and we will send you the full program catalog and pricing details. Spots are limited and fill on a first-come, first-served basis.

Submit Parent Inquiry Form