Google × University of Waterloo

Futures Lab:Agents at Work

Coding used to be the barrier to building the tools you want. It isn’t anymore.

Regardless of your major, learn to design and deploy AI agents that do real work — and graduate as the problem-solver every employer is hunting for.

Apply for Fall 2026 Bring it to your campus

Applications close September 18

What is Futures Lab?

Futures Lab is an 8-week, hands-on workshop at the University of Waterloo, run with Google.

It’s built on a simple idea: anyone can build with AI — no code or AI experience needed, just curiosity and a willingness to break things. You’ll work in a small, interdisciplinary team, move fast, test your ideas on real people, and leave with a working AI project on your CV.

Outcomes

By the end, you’ll be able to:

Build real apps with AI

Turn ideas into software using plain language. It’s called vibe coding — and you won't need to write a single line of code.

Put AI agents to work

Design agents that handle complex, multi-step workflows autonomously — real automation, not just another chatbot.

Build a portfolio project

Build a working AI product to demo in interviews and showcase in your portfolio.

Google mentors

Your team is mentored by people from Google to refine your ideas into a high-impact product.

Design like a PM

Scope real problems, weigh trade-offs, and make key decisions that turn ideas into viable products.

Test with real users

Run usability tests, gather user feedback, and iterate using proven research loops.

Win any room

Pitch your ideas with clarity and confidence to convince teammates, users, and executives alike.

Demo day

Present your final product to leaders from Google, industry, and NGOs. In past iterations, we’ve hosted it at Google’s Kitchener office.

Three students laughing together as they demo their prototype on a laptop at Google’s Kitchener office.
Testimonials

From students who started exactly where you are

I just finished my recruiting cycle for co-op jobs, and I had seven interviews — and in all seven I was able to talk about Futures Lab. Employers were looking for someone who could demonstrably say: ‘Here’s something I built with AI. Here’s how it works. I understand how to do this in a team setting.’

Erin Walshaw

BMath, Computer Science

Built Logic Labyrinth

I have no clue how to code, and yet I came up with a fully functional app — because I was smart with giving prompts.

Lara Azad

Master of Digital Experience Innovation

I show off to all my friends that I know how to do this now — none of them do. I want to go into marketing in health, and now I can build a portfolio on my own instead of using Canva.

Madison De Silva

BA, Sociology

Built Focus Flow

WHO SHOWS UP

Students from everywhere. Building real things.

6 in 10

built their first app here

97

students trained, and counting

50+

Net Promoter Score

30+

prototypes shipped

Every faculty in the room

  • Arts
  • Engineering
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Math
  • Science
  • Horticulture & Landscape Architecture
  • Sociology & Legal Studies
  • Public Health
  • Communication Arts & Design
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Knowledge Integration
  • Liberal Studies
  • Psychology
  • Accounting & Financial Management
  • Global Business & Digital Arts
  • Social & Ecological Sustainability
  • Arts & Business
  • Chemistry
  • Statistics
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Mechatronics Engineering
  • Systems Design Engineering
  • Environment & Business
  • Management Science
  • Data Science
  • Software Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Mathematics
  • Digital Experience & Innovation

…and more — Alumni from +32 programs

  • 68% Undergrad
  • 24% Master’s
  • 8% PhD

Every level, side by side.

Come as you are — from computer science to horticulture, first-year to PhD.

Apply

Curiosity is the only prerequisite.

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for creative, high-agency people who want to build the tools for the future of work and learning — from any program, at any level. No experience with coding or AI is required — and it won’t give you an advantage, either. We just want to get to know you.

What the application asks

Show us your trajectory. What you're curious about, what you've built or led, the things you throw yourself into. Tell us about your studies, your work or co-op experience, your extracurriculars and hobbies, and take on a few open questions. We're looking for creativity, drive, and proof that you make things happen.

Apply for Fall 2026

Applications close September 18

For universities

Bring Futures Lab to your campus

The University of Waterloo and Google are expanding Futures Lab to institutions everywhere. We’re inviting universities to bring the program to their own students.

Pre-register your institution

No commitment — we’ll be in touch as new cohorts open

[screenshot of the prototype]