Summer School in Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Human Rights
A joint initiative initiative by Mila and the Université de Montréal (UdeM).
The summer school brings together participants from different backgrounds and horizons to explore the intersections between responsible artificial intelligence (AI) and human rights.
Sessions include responsible AI, AI governance, AI ethics and legal aspects of AI. Participants will acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to better understand and navigate questions emerging at the intersection of responsible AI and human rights.
Applications accepted from October 27 to December 6, 2023.
Overview
→ WHAT: a 5-day intensive learning program combining theory, practice and skills development on the topic of responsible AI and human rights.
→ WHO: graduate students, early-career researchers, professionals from the public, private and non-profit sectors from all around the world.
Prerequisites: participants must have basic AI-related expertise, and/or professional experience in relevant fields (STEM, or relevant areas of law, policy or social sciences).
→ WHEN: May 27 to 31, 2024
→ WHERE: Mila – Institut québécois d’intelligence artificielle, in person (see location here).
→ CAPACITY: the program is limited to 40 participants
→ LANGUAGE: the summer school will be bilingual, with sessions and presentations offered in French and in English. Participants need not be fluent in both languages, but basic proficiency in both is an asset. Resources will be available in both French and English, and translation tools will be used to make the content accessible to all.
The summer school requires around 40 hours of work, including class time, activities, a possible short preparation session before the summer school, group work and projects. A certificate of participation will be awarded following completion of the program.
Read a recap of the 2023 edition here.
Program
With sessions led by renowned national and international experts and practical workshops, the summer school is a unique opportunity to:
- Reflect on the ethical, legal, political and socio-technical issues raised by AI in various development and application environments;
- Understand existing normative frameworks (Declaration of Montreal, UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, human rights framework, etc.) and their implications for responsible AI and human rights;
- Explore the main issues facing society and organizations in the development and application of AI;
- Develop essential skills in responsible AI, such as working in an interdisciplinary setting, exercising leadership and using scientific diplomacy skills to navigate the multidisciplinary, global and practical reality of responsible AI.
- Build lasting relationships with passionate and committed individuals from all over the world.
Each day of the school focuses on a specific theme like responsible AI, AI governance, AI ethics, legal aspects of AI, and human rights.
From theory to practice
Morning sessions will allow participants to discover the relevant theoretical foundations pertaining to the day’s theme and explore existing application and evaluation tools.
Afternoon sessions will be focusing on practical workshops and experiential learning; participants will take part in skills-building workshops, hands-on activities and other applied learning activities such as case studies.
Looking back on last year’s edition
I felt at home at Mila. There is something about the energy of the space, the people, and the mission of Mila, that I automatically plugged into right from when I stepped into the door. This immersive experience exceeded my expectations by equipping me with invaluable knowledge and skills that have shaped my understanding of the concept of responsible AI and how it relates to human rights and other fields. I found it collaborative and interdisciplinary, and safe, diverse, and inclusive – not only in representation and in the activities of the Summer School but also in the learning contexts and formats. I wholeheartedly endorse and recommend this transformative program to anyone passionate about responsible AI and human rights.
Jake Okechukwu Effoduh, 2023 participant
Academic leadership
Catherine Régis, S.D.J.
Full Professor, Université de Montréal
Scientific Director, Summer School for Responsible AI
Speakers from 2023
Gabriela Ramos
Assistant Director-General for the Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO
Director of the McGill Responsible Autonomy & Intelligent System Ethics (RAISE) lab, McGill University
Lofred Madzou
Director of Strategy and Business Development, Truera
Virginia Dignum
Professor of Responsible AI at Umeå University, Sweden and director of WASP-HS
Maria Axente
Responsible AI & AI for Good Lead, PwC UK
Nicolas Miailhe
Co-Founder, The Future Society (TFS)
Karine Gentelet
Associate Professor, Social Sciences Department, Université du Québec
Nathalie Smuha
Legal Scholar and Philosopher, KU Leuven Faculty of Law
Shingai Manjengwa
Head of AI Education, ChainML
Mark Shaan
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister for Strategy & Innovation Policy at the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED)
Shalaleh Rismani
Ph.D. candidate, McGill University and Mila
Bernard Duhaime
Professor, Université du Québec à Montréal
Marc-Antoine Dilhac
Associate Professor, Université de Montréal, Canada CIFAR AI Chair
Benjamin Prud’homme
Executive Director, AI for Humanity, Mila
Anna Jahn
Director of Public Policy and Learning, AI for Humanity, Mila
Program costs
*Please note that the price presented here does not include the fees associated with university credits for students from UdeM and members of the BCI network.
Registration fees cover access to program content, lunches during the five-day program, as well as opening and closing social events. They do not cover accommodation, transportation, meals not mentioned and any visa fees.
Financial support
If you are selected, you will have the opportunity to benefit from financial support. When applying for the summer school, a section will be dedicated to financial support. Evaluators will not have access to this information and it will not be taken into account during the selection process. Once selected, financial support applications will be evaluated to ensure a fair distribution of financial resources among those in need. Answers regarding financial needs will be given promptly.
In order to ensure the fairness of our initiative, to attract people from various backgrounds and to include their voices, we provide a limited number of scholarships to participants with a proven need for financial support. The scholarships are designed to support participants who would not otherwise be able to cover any or all of the costs of Summer School. The bursary can help the recipient cover various expenses related to his/her participation in the Summer School, such as the cost of the summer school ticket, accommodation, airfare and/or any other expenses deemed essential. Eligible participants may come from less developed countries, disadvantaged socioeconomic environments and/or marginalized communities.
Due to the limited number of available scholarships, a note explaining why you believe you are eligible for the coverage of your expenses must be provided to us in your application. We encourage participants to include a detailed description of their situation and other forms of assistance or recognition they receive to support your application. Applicants should make sure to include an estimate of their summer school expenses to enable us to assess the needs of each applicant.
Individuals from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds are welcome at the summer school. Each participant in need of a visa will receive, upon request, a letter of invitation signed by Mila and the Université de Montréal. To find out if you need a visa or the approximate processing time based on your country of departure, click here. Finally, follow this link to find out what steps to take to apply for an entry visa into Canada.
Application and selection process
As the number of participants is limited, the selection of candidates will be based on the excellence of their application. Evaluators will only have access to the 3 documents uploaded to assess applications. You will be notified by mid-January.
In the event of over- or under-representation of a group within the selected cohort, the selection committee retains the right to give preference to certain candidates in order to ensure a plurality of experiences and perspectives within the group. In this case only, the committee may refer to the forms completed at the time of application.
A waiting list may be set up until all available places have been filled. If this is the case, you will be informed.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Summer School is an in-person event. It is offered only on-site, in Montreal (Quebec, Canada). We do not offer an option to join the summer school online.
The application period runs from October 27, 2023 to December 6, 2023, at 12 pm (EST).
Answers will be given in mid-January.
Yes, the summer school aims to draw on different perspectives, both social and technical, and to create a space for exchange between them.
The summer school does not require training in any specific field of expertise. The program only requires that you have expertise closely related to AI, whether you have a background in law/humanities/social sciences OR a technical background. The important thing is that you have a strong interest in Responsible AI, and that you can both benefit from and contribute to the conversation on the various topics provided for in the program.
Yes, the summer school aims to welcome diverse voices from different geographical and cultural backgrounds. The 2023 cohort was made up of over 20 nationalities, and this diversity contributes greatly to the richness of the program. So your application is more than welcome, wherever you come from!
The summer school offers a certificate to participants who successfully complete the program.
Students wishing to receive credit for the training will also be able to do so. Students from Université de Montréal and other BCI member institutions in Quebec will be required to pass the evaluation at the end of the summer school, which represents an investment of approximately 6 hours in addition to the 40 hours of programming and activities. In this case, the summer school is equivalent to a total of 45 hours for 3 university credits. It is the responsibility of students wishing to receive credit for the training to take the necessary steps to register with their TGDE (UdeM students) or the BCI (students from other Quebec universities) and to pay the related fees.
International students or students from outside Quebec who wish to do so will be able to have the certificate awarded at the end of the summer school recognized by their educational institution and obtain university credits, in accordance with the terms and conditions laid down by their institution.
The cost of the summer school covers the entire program, lunches for the duration of the program, as well as the opening and closing events. The summer school does not cover transportation (local and international) or your accommodation in Montreal.
As far as meals are concerned, the summer school fee covers coffee breaks, lunches and meals at the opening and closing events. Other meals must be arranged by you. For accommodation and local (and international) transport, you'll need to cover these details yourself.
If you benefit from our financial support, the cost of the summer school, transport and accommodation can be covered by us.
If you know you'll need a visa to come to Montreal and take part in the summer school, you can follow this link to find out all the steps involved in obtaining a visa from the Canadian government. You can also click here to find out the estimated processing time for your visa application. You will need to let us know as soon as possible that you will require a visa so that we can send you a letter of invitation to the summer school, signed by Mila and the Université de Montréal, to be included in the documentation to be submitted with your visa application.
The summer school offers financial support to participants who would not be able to cover all or part of the expenses related to their participation in the program. Once admitted, participants will receive an email on this subject.
Yes, as long as you inform us in advance. Our cancellation and refund policy requires that you inform us of your intention to withdraw 30 days in advance for a full refund, after which no refund will be possible. The earlier you notify us, the better, as the approach of the program start date leaves us little margin to offer the place to someone else. Please see the appropriate section for more information.
If the COVID-19 pandemic causes disruptions on the organizational side (due to federal and/or provincial restrictions), the summer school will be moved online and partial refunds, equivalent to the fees that have been saved, will be paid to participants.
Registered participants who are not authorized to travel on the summer school start date for one of the following reasons will be reimbursed:
- Visa not issued on time (with proof of reasonable delays);
- Country restrictions related to COVID-19
Note: dated proof of inability to travel will be required.
Participant cancellations will be processed as follows: up to 30 days before the event, participants will receive a full refund; after this deadline, no refunds will be issued.