Location: Berlin, Germany
Dates: 14 - 17 September 2026
Application by 30 June 2026

The 2026 Berlin Summer School on Artificial Intelligence and Society invites researchers and practitioners to explore the parameters which have to be considered when AI systems are designed to act autonomously. The programme will focus on fundamental questions at the interface between autonomous systems, trustworthy machine learning, and robotics, as well as deployment in critical areas such as healthcare and autonomous biotechnology. We will cover technical approaches, e.g. how to integrate robustness, verifiability, explainability, security and good data governance into system architectures from the start.

Beyond the technical aspects, we will examine these challenges from the perspective of digitalization research, incorporating ethical and societal perspectives, and encouraging participants to situate their work within a broader framework of organizational and political governance and values. Join us this summer in Berlin’s vibrant research and innovation ecosystem to network, collaborate and help shape the future of responsible AI!

The curriculum addresses pressing challenges in building robust, transparent and secure AI systems, with a particular focus on their application in critical and socially sensitive domains. Beyond theoretical discussions, you'll gain insights into practical tools and methodologies essential for responsible AI research. The Summer School offers valuable insights, skills, and connections needed to design AI-driven autonomous systems responsibly.

The Summer School will be a 3.5-day event. It is designed for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers from the Weizenbaum Institute, the Learning and Intelligent Systems research lab, the network of German Centres of Excellence for AI (BIFOLD, DFKI, Lamarr, MCML, ScaDSAI, and TUEAI), and from other universities and research institutes, who are passionate about machine learning, data management, robotics, and the impact of cutting-edge AI on society. Interested Master’s students in their final year are also cordially invited to participate. 

Venue: The Summer School will take place at BIFOLD on the TU Berlin Campus Charlottenburg in the very center of Berlin with many possibilities for relaxation and outdoor activities nearby.

Address: BIFOLD, Technische Universität Berlin, Franklinstr. 28-29, 10587 Berlin, Germany

Directions: The TU Campus Charlottenburg is located close to the train station Zoologischer Garten, the S Bahn station Tiergarten and the U Bahn station Ernst-Reuter-Platz.