Spotlight: UCSF AI4ALL Alum - Austin Kao
UCSF AI4All is back, and DoC-IT is proud to be a partnering sponsor of this incredible program. Over 10 weeks, this summer internship gives high school students hands-on exposure to AI and data-driven biomedical discovery, helping shape the next generation of researchers and innovators.
Applications are open for the 2026 cohort (deadline is March 25), and we're excited to feature program alumni and where they are now.
Read on to hear firsthand from an alumnus of the program in the Q&A below.
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Q&A with Austin Kao (UCSF AI4ALL '24)
Austin Kao is a 2024 UCSF AI4ALL alumnus and UCLA student studying mathematics and computer science. Originally drawn to the program by a curiosity about AI's potential beyond the tech industry, Austin found his direction through hands-on research exploring how machine learning can support healthcare challenges, from chest X-ray analysis to tuberculosis diagnosis. Today, he continues to pursue the bridge between rigorous technical work and real-world impact.
What drew you to apply to the UCSF AI4All program?
I applied to AI4All because I was fascinated by how artificial intelligence can be used beyond tech companies to address real-world problems, particularly in fields like healthcare. I wanted hands-on exposure to AI and the opportunity to better understand what research in the field looks like, and this program offered exactly that. I was especially excited by the program’s focus on going beyond the classroom to apply AI to socially meaningful challenges rather than purely theoretical ones.
How did AI4All shape the direction of your education or career?
AI4All shaped my educational and career path by revealing how mathematics and computer science can intersect to create real-world impact. This perspective directly influenced my decision to study both fields at UCLA. One pivotal experience was working with my team to research how convolutional neural networks could analyze chest X-rays to aid in tuberculosis diagnosis. This project showed me the transformative potential of AI in healthcare and marked a turning point in my interests. It not only deepened my curiosity about machine learning but also motivated me to pursue building AI systems that address socially meaningful problems.
Looking back, what's one skill, mindset shift, or piece of advice from mentors or fellow trainees that you still carry with you today?
One mindset that has stayed with me is that impactful AI work requires both attention to detail and creativity. Before building a model, it’s important to carefully understand the available data and think critically about how it can be used to create meaningful solutions. At the same time, small changes, such as adjusting a parameter or calculation, can significantly affect a model’s performance, which taught me the importance of precision. This balance between creativity and careful analysis continues to shape how I approach projects and problem-solving today.
If you could describe the AI4All experience in one sentence to someone who's never heard of it, what would you say?
AI4All is an experience that shows how artificial intelligence goes beyond what people typically think of as just technology, using real data to develop solutions for challenges like disease diagnosis.
Anything else you'd like prospective applicants to know?
Don’t worry about having extensive AI experience before applying, the program is really about curiosity and a willingness to try new approaches. One of the most valuable parts of AI4All is the opportunity to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds and realize how many different paths there are into the field. If you’re interested in using technology to create impactful tools across industries, it’s an incredibly inspiring place to start.