Rolling enrollment open. Courses prorated.
Explore now.Does your child have strong opinions about how technology should work? Are they the kid asking questions about AI that even adults can't answer? In AI Safety & Ethics, your young thinker will join a small group of peers who care just as deeply about the big questions—like what happens when machines start making decisions for us, whether AI should have rights, and how to keep personal data safe in a world increasingly run by algorithms. Taught by Alex, this course gives students the space to debate real ethical dilemmas, analyze cutting-edge AI systems, and think critically about the technology shaping their future. You'll explore how AI works well enough to spot the risks and opportunities, learn responsible prompting to maximize AI's benefits without the pitfalls, and discuss scenarios like algorithmic bias, deepfakes, data privacy, AI in hiring, and the future of work—with peers who share their curiosity and depth. This isn't philosophy-lite or tech-lite. It's rigorous, serious conversation about the choices your child will inherit. Finally, a place where their big ideas are taken seriously.
In this course, your child learns how to use AI safely, responsibly, and effectively, keeping their personal data protected every step of the way. But more importantly, they learn to think like an AI ethicist—asking not just "Can we do this?" but "Should we?" They'll explore real systems that are already shaping society, understand the risks and benefits, and develop the critical thinking skills that will make them leaders in a future where AI literacy is as fundamental as reading.
Students dive deep into how AI actually works—neural networks, training data, bias in algorithms—without needing to be coders. They explore how to safely use AI to keep personal data protected from misuse, how to write effective and responsible AI prompts that get what you want without ethical shortcuts, and how to build safeguards that prevent mistakes, hallucinations, and data loss from AI agents. They'll study real-world case studies: algorithmic bias in hiring, facial recognition ethics, deepfakes and misinformation, data privacy breaches, AI in criminal justice, ChatGPT's impact on education and work, and the environmental cost of training large models. Most importantly, they'll develop frameworks for thinking through complex scenarios where "the right answer" isn't obvious.
Your child won't watch videos about ethics—they'll do what philosophers do: debate, argue, and defend their positions. Alex presents real dilemmas: Should an AI algorithm decide who gets approved for a loan? If an AI generates art trained on artists' work without permission, who owns the result? How do you balance convenience (personalized recommendations) with privacy? Is an AI that seems conscious but isn't actually conscious being "treated unfairly" by its users? Students learn to articulate nuanced positions, listen to smart peers who disagree, and change their minds when evidence demands it. That's the opposite of polarized thinking—and it's the kind of intellectual maturity that shapes leaders, whatever field they choose.
AI is already part of your child's world, whether they realize it or not. This course gives them the vocabulary and critical thinking to use it wisely instead of blindly. Parents tell us their kids start questioning AI-generated content and making smarter choices about the tools they use every day.
Knowing how to code is one thing. Knowing when and whether to let an AI handle something is another. This course builds the ethical framework your child needs to make good decisions about technology, the kind of thinking that college admissions offices and future employers increasingly value.
YSA is a UC-registered online publisher and WASC-accredited Supplementary Education Center, which means our courses can count toward official college credit requirements. State schools can recognize the courses your student takes here, adding real legitimacy to your homeschooling journey or building on top of your student's existing transcript. That unlocks two ways to enroll: For Credit -- Your student earns official, accredited credit toward their transcript. For-credit students complete weekly assignments that build toward their transcript grade. Outside-of-class work ranges from 1-2 hours per week. Perfect for families who want documentation that reflects what their child is actually capable of -- to show the world how brilliant they are. For Enrichment -- Your student takes the very same course purely for the love of learning. No grades, no outside-of-class work, no credit attached. Just the content, the community, and the growth. Same course. Same mentor. Same experience in class. You choose what fits your family.
If you homeschool, this works seamlessly. If your student attends another school full time, we create a report card and transcript that we share with you, and you share with the school. It is up to your primary school to accept it and add it to your student's official transcript.
Understand how AI actually works—training data, bias, hallucinations, and limitations—well enough to use it safely, from protecting personal data to spotting misleading outputs and knowing when an AI answer is plausible but wrong 
Master responsible prompting techniques, learn how to fact-check AI outputs, and build guardrails on AI agents to prevent mistakes, data loss, and unintended consequences 
Debate real-world AI dilemmas with intellectual peers—algorithmic bias, deepfakes, privacy, AI rights, the future of work—and learn to defend complex positions while genuinely considering opposing views 
Develop ethical judgment to use AI as a powerful amplifier of human capability rather than a crutch or replacement, knowing when to trust it, when to verify it, and when to choose a human solution instead 
Hey there! I'm Alex! I've been a game developer for 10 years, and I've worked for Meta and Target. I've also developed a few games, including Totally Reliable Delivery Service (A multiplayer physics game about delivery packages poorly) and Ollie-Oop, a 3D platformer about a skateboarding dog named Ollie who goes on the adventure of his dreams! I was also a home school kid all through elementary school up until college. I love all kinds of video games, puzzles, escape rooms, mystery/detective movies, retro gaming, mechanical keyboards, cooking, and I love dogs!
WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING
Parents don't just see happier kids. They see sharper thinking, stronger friendships, and a child who actually wants to log on.
★★★★★
"I've seen Alex bring his games for exhibition at major events and small meetups, and there were certainly kids at those events coming to try his game. Also, Alex has a cute dog that he is very sweet with -- he seems to be a proud dog dad and treat it like his kid."
Priya A.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"As a former [special education] teacher and a parent on the spectrum, I have 4 neuro diverse kiddos I homeschool. This teacher has been fantastic. The key is finding a teacher that is just as passionate about learning as the kids. She is an excellent teacher for ANY student."
Nicole A.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"I've seen Alex bring his games for exhibition at major events and small meetups, and there were certainly kids at those events coming to try his game. Also, Alex has a cute dog that he is very sweet with -- he seems to be a proud dog dad and treat it like his kid."
Priya A.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"As a former [special education] teacher and a parent on the spectrum, I have 4 neuro diverse kiddos I homeschool. This teacher has been fantastic. The key is finding a teacher that is just as passionate about learning as the kids. She is an excellent teacher for ANY student."
Nicole A.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"The way Alex runs the room is special. Small group, real attention, and my son finally feels safe to speak up."
Erin A.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"We have tried a lot of programs. Alex is the only one who made my daughter feel like she belongs."
Colleen A.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"The way Alex runs the room is special. Small group, real attention, and my son finally feels safe to speak up."
Erin A.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"We have tried a lot of programs. Alex is the only one who made my daughter feel like she belongs."
Colleen A.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Alex has a real gift. My son walks away from every session more confident than he went in."
Marissa A.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My daughter made her first real friends in Alex's class, and Alex made sure every kid belonged."
Dana A.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Alex has a real gift. My son walks away from every session more confident than he went in."
Marissa A.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My daughter made her first real friends in Alex's class, and Alex made sure every kid belonged."
Dana A.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"I've seen Alex bring his games for exhibition at major events and small meetups, and there were certainly kids at those events coming to try his game. Also, Alex has a cute dog that he is very sweet with -- he seems to be a proud dog dad and treat it like his kid."
Priya A.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"As a former [special education] teacher and a parent on the spectrum, I have 4 neuro diverse kiddos I homeschool. This teacher has been fantastic. The key is finding a teacher that is just as passionate about learning as the kids. She is an excellent teacher for ANY student."
Nicole A.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"The way Alex runs the room is special. Small group, real attention, and my son finally feels safe to speak up."
Erin A.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"We have tried a lot of programs. Alex is the only one who made my daughter feel like she belongs."
Colleen A.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Alex has a real gift. My son walks away from every session more confident than he went in."
Marissa A.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My daughter made her first real friends in Alex's class, and Alex made sure every kid belonged."
Dana A.
YSA parent
If you’re not 100% in love with the course, you have options depending on how you enrolled:
You can switch to another course of equal or lesser value that’s a better fit or get a credit to use toward a future course.
You can either get credit toward a future course, switch to another course of equal or lesser value that’s a better fit, or stop all future payments after a 30-day processing period.
No risk. No stress. Just the learning and belonging you have been looking for.
We can offer this because we know what we do works for thousands of other families. Kids become more self-confident. They find their people. And families tell us this is the place where their student finally feels welcome. We know it will work for your family, too.
All-Access Passes have separate terms and conditions. Please see the All-Access Pass pages.
It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway... to qualify for the satisfaction guarantee policy, you have to actually attend the classes. This is not a cancellation policy. It’s a satisfaction guarantee. You can’t be satisfied or dissatisfied if you don’t attend.
Young Scholars Academy is a virtual village that offers one-of-a-kind, engaging enrichment courses and community for 5-18-year-old bright, quirky kids to empower them to develop their strengths, make like-minded friends, cultivate life skills, build confidence, and feel great about themselves under the loving care of expert mentors. description2: >- Picture a place where your child fits in, is celebrated, mentored, and loves learning the unique content their beautiful brain craves. That happens every day at YSA for over 1,200+ families, and it can happen for your family, too.
WASC Accredited · 1,200+ Families · 93% Re-Enroll · 47+ States, 17 Countries, 6 Continents
Learn more about YSAQUESTIONS ABOUT THIS COURSE
Everything you need to know before enrolling your child.
Gifted kids are natural philosophers. They already ask the big questions - we give them frameworks, vocabulary, and a community of peers who think the same way. Our mentors guide discussions without dumbing them down. Students leave with sharper critical thinking, better argumentation skills, and the confidence that their deep questions deserve serious exploration.
Yes. YSA families join from 47+ states and 17 countries across 6 continents. All you need is an internet connection. We schedule sections across multiple time zones so families worldwide can find a time that works.
AI Safety & Ethics meets once per week for 50 minutes, every week from August through December. Your child joins the same tight-knit group of up to 8 students and the same mentor all semester long. Same friends, same mentor, a new challenge every week.
Our gifted and 2e students experience such asynchronous development that hard age limits rarely tell the full story. If your student should be aged up or aged down, contact us at support@youngscholarsacademy.org or click the chat in the bottom right corner of the screen. We do this all the time.
Please don't confuse reactive distance learning with what happens at YSA. When a kid is engaged in a course they chose, with a mentor who gets them and peers who share their interests, the screen disappears. They're not on a screen. They're with their people. Parents tell us their children fight to log on to YSA.
If your child isn't loving a course by the end of the first week, swap into a different course. Same semester. No questions. Not the right fit within the first month? We'll stop payments, switch courses, or issue credit toward any future course. The credit never expires. And you keep every bonus you've received. Over 93% of YSA families don't just stay. They add more courses.
No. Cameras are always optional. Always. Many of our students start with cameras off and turn them on when they're comfortable. Our mentors engage every student equally, cameras on or off.
No. If you're here, you're in the right place. We don't require paperwork, evaluations, or labels. Whether your child has been formally identified as gifted or twice-exceptional, whether you suspect it but haven't pursued testing, or whether you just know your kid's brain works differently and nothing else has fit, they're welcome here.
Yes. YSA is an approved vendor with 10+ state ESA programs including Arizona ESA, Utah Fits All, ClassWallet, My Tech High, Florida Step Up, and others. Enroll directly to secure your child's spot, submit the invoice to your ESA, and your payment method is refunded when funds transfer. Many families pay zero out of pocket.
Click "See Available Times" on this page, pick the section that fits your schedule, and your child's spot is secured immediately. No phone call. No placement test. No prerequisite.
Right now, a kid who thinks like your kid is in a course they chose, with a mentor who was once just like them, surrounded by friends who don't think they're weird... they think they're interesting.
Your child is one click from finding out what that feels like.
Just a computer with a keyboard you can work on, Mac or Windows works great!