Build production software for real organizations, for credit.
The AI Foundry is a BYU Marriott studio where students build AI software for real organizations. Here is how to join, what it asks of you, and what you get.
Take the foundation, pass the entrance exam, then join the studio.
Build, test, and launch a real digital product using AI coding agents. Prerequisite: IS 201 or equivalent.
Fall or winter, sophomore or junior year
Today: MSB 341 (also IS 693R, CS 498R)
AI-native product methods, learned by building from customer discovery through launch.
Fall and winter, alongside the practicum
Today: AI Foundry Lab, STRAT 490R / MBA 693R
Real product work for a client, an employer, or your own venture.
Fall and winter, alongside the studio
Today: STRAT 477R APM Lab
Product and AI leaders on the work and the careers. No prerequisite.
Winter
Today: MSB 342
The foundation course runs every fall and winter. Start it in winter and you take the entrance exam at the end of winter, then join the studio and the practicum that fall. Course numbers change in Fall 2027; the number to register for today is under each course.
This year only: three ways in, 2026-2027
2026-2027 is the Foundry's first year, so nobody has taken the prerequisite or the entrance exam yet. For this year only, there are three ways in. Whichever you choose, you are a full member of the Foundry.
Option 1
You want the Builder toolkit first, with no client work in fall.
- Fall: Build only
- Winter: Foundry Lab
Option 2
You want to build the toolkit while staffed on a project. Plan for the extra time.
- Fall: Build and Foundry Lab
- Winter: Foundry Lab
Option 3
You already have strong Builder skills.
- Fall: Foundry Lab only
- Winter: Foundry Lab
What we expect
- About 10 hours a week, including the Friday studio block.
- Typically another 10 hours in weeks when client demand calls for it.
- A written update every week.
What you receive
- Three credit hours per semester, six across the year.
- A Claude plan for Foundry work, provided or reimbursed. The plan is set each term.
- Production software in use at an organization, shipped under your name.
- A client contact who can speak to your work.
- Your Builder profile, at the start of the year and again in December.
Two profiles track your growth. The self-assessment takes about seven minutes, does not affect your grade, and helps us staff teams so every team covers every skill. A 2 is more useful to us than an inflated 4.
Everything a Foundry student needs to know is in the course book.
Graduated, or mentoring builders? Join the network →