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We invite applications from individuals who are passionate about building responsible AI systems and advancing accountability in the digital age. Whether you are a student, researcher, policy advocate, technologist, or professional working at the intersection of technology and society, this summer school offers a platform to deepen your understanding and contribute to the global conversation on ethical AI. We particularly encourage applications from those whose work addresses governance challenges in public or private institutions, or who are exploring how AI can be made more transparent, fair, and accountable.
The 2025 edition of the AI Ethics Summer School will focus on AI Accountability and Corporate Governance. Participants will explore how institutions can build systems of responsibility around the development and deployment of AI, especially in high-stakes sectors such as finance, healthcare, employment, and public services. Through lectures, panels, and interactive workshops, the program will address themes such as risk and impact assessment, board-level AI oversight, explainability, algorithmic audits, and regulatory compliance. These sessions will be led by leading thinkers and practitioners from the fields of AI ethics, law, policy, and corporate governance.
In addition to academic content, participants will have opportunities to showcase their own work, collaborate on real-world case studies, and engage in dialogue with peers from around the world. Special sessions will focus on practical skills for ethical leadership, policy influence, and responsible innovation in both public and private sectors.
The AI Ethics Summer School is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive learning environment. We welcome voices from across disciplines, regions, and experiences, particularly from underrepresented communities. Connectivity support and participation bursaries are available for those who need them.
As the number of available spots is limited, participant selection will be based on the overall strength of each application. Evaluators will consider only the documents submitted and your responses to the motivation questions when reviewing your application.
To support a balanced and inclusive learning environment, the selection committee may take into account representation factors to ensure a plurality of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives within the cohort. In such cases, the committee may refer to the demographic information you provide in your application.
If the number of selected participants does not fill all available spaces, a waiting list may be created. If you are placed on the waiting list, you will be informed and contacted should a spot become available.
We encourage applications from individuals across disciplines and regions, especially those from under-represented groups in technology and ethics.
The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into business operations is reshaping how corporations make decisions, optimize processes, and engage with customers and stakeholders. AI technologies are now central to areas such as predictive analytics, supply chain management, human resources, marketing, and financial services. This expansion promises significant improvements in efficiency, cost reduction, and competitive advantage. At the same time, it raises profound questions about accountability, responsibility, and ethical oversight.
One of the key challenges is that much of the current enthusiasm surrounding AI adoption is driven by inflated expectations and market hype. Popular discourse and vendor-driven narratives often present AI systems as fully autonomous, highly reliable, and capable of outperforming human judgment across a wide range of tasks. In reality, many AI systems remain limited, context-dependent, and prone to errors, biases, and unintended consequences. The overestimation of AI capabilities can lead to premature or inappropriate delegation of critical business functions to algorithmic systems, introducing new forms of operational, legal, and ethical risk.
Corporate governance structures, traditionally designed to oversee human decision-making, often lack the expertise and mechanisms required to address the complexities of AI-based systems. Questions arise about how to ensure transparency when decision processes are driven by opaque algorithms, how to assign responsibility when errors emerge from complex socio-technical systems, and how to align AI deployment with legal obligations, fiduciary duties, and stakeholder interests. The risks associated with biased data, unfair outcomes, and unanticipated failures challenge both the internal governance of firms and external regulatory frameworks.
This background will serve as a foundation for discussing AI accountability within the context of corporate governance at the AI Ethics Summer School. We will explore how legal, ethical, and organizational frameworks can be adapted to address these challenges. Topics will include mechanisms for explainability and auditability, strategies for bias mitigation, the role of human oversight, and the importance of developing AI literacy at the board and executive levels. Participants will engage with current debates on responsible AI adoption in business, with particular attention to how organizations can navigate both the opportunities and the risks posed by the growing reliance on AI systems.
In case you missed the 2024 summer school
To register for the 2025 AI Ethics Summer School on AI Accountability in Corporate Governance, kindly complete this application form to reserve your spot in participating in the AI Ethics Summer School, hosted by the Pan-African Center for AI Ethics. The deadline to apply is 23:59 (WAT) on 5th July 2025. All applicants will be notified of their selection status by 15 July 2025.
The summer school will run fully online, making it accessible to participants from across the globe. We welcome applications from individuals at various stages of their academic, research, or professional journey, including students, civil society actors, journalists, legal professionals, technologists, and policymakers with a demonstrated interest in responsible and inclusive AI.
Our goal is to bring together a diverse and interdisciplinary cohort to explore critical issues around AI accountability in corporate governance, especially within African and Global South contexts.
Participation in the summer school is free of charge.To ensure the integrity of the application process and our selection criteria, you may be asked to upload essay and a resumė.
We strongly encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented groups in AI and technology, including those from rural or marginalized communities, women, and youth.
We look forward to your application and the opportunity to build an inclusive and transformative learning experience in ethical AI together
