Courses

Summer School on Artificial Intelligence, Ethics and Human Rights

3rd Edition

In partnership with:

Location:  LHA / online

Duration:  25 hours

Date:  22–26 June 2026

Fee: €1,000 in person / €800 online

Enrollment status: Due to high demand, enrollment has been extended until 14 June

Open Day

It will take place online on 13 May 2026, from 2 to 3 pm. Register and attend to find out everything you need to know about the course.

The rapid progress of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping societies and creating new opportunities for efficiency and innovation. However, these developments pose significant ethical challenges, particularly in safeguarding fundamental human rights. Issues such as algorithmic bias, discrimination and fairness highlight the disproportionate impact AI can have on marginalized communities. The tension between public safety and personal liberty becomes particularly critical as AI technologies are integrated into vital sectors, including criminal justice, healthcare, employment and beyond. The international community continues to face significant challenges arising from advances in AI. In December 2024, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the Security Council, stating: "The fate of humanity cannot be left to algorithms." He stressed the urgent need for international AI governance, warning that the rapid pace of AI development is outstripping regulatory efforts and increasing risks to global peace and security. Guterres highlighted critical concerns, including safety, equality, accountability and the need to maintain human oversight in AI-driven decision-making.


The Summer School provides a comprehensive overview of the key scientific aspects of AI (from a definition to its main characteristics, developments and recent advances) and emerging ethical issues and their impact on human rights in today’s world. Participants will explore the key ethical principles and values surrounding AI, such as meaningful human control, reliability, explainability, transparency, non-discrimination, privacy, surveillance, autonomy and accountability, and sustainability. They will examine how these principles and values should guide our actions throughout the AI lifecycle, from design and development/deployment to real-world applications.


The aim is to outline how technologies can threaten human dignity or be used to protect it, from a human-centred perspective. Throughout the week, participants will explore the philosophical and legal frameworks governing AI and human rights in the international context, examining recent European regulations (AI Act, 2024) and outlining how international human rights law applies to AI technologies. The course will then focus on critical issues such as algorithmic bias, discrimination and inequalities in artificial intelligence systems, highlighting their impact on marginalised communities and society, as well as the tension between public security and personal freedom in an increasingly data-driven world. It will examine the ethical responsibilities of technology companies, governments, societies and individuals in mitigating the risks associated with AI and its impact on specific fields. The course will also cover neuro-artificial intelligence (at the intersection of neurotechnology and artificial intelligence) and specific cases in healthcare, criminal justice and labour rights, with a focus on vulnerabilities. By the end of the course, participants will have developed an understanding of the complex relationship between AI, ethics and human rights, and gained the interdisciplinary knowledge to critically assess AI’s role in society.


Through lectures, document analysis, case studies, interactive discussions and expert insights, participants will explore ways to ensure that AI is developed and deployed with ethical considerations and respect for human rights as priorities. This dynamic learning environment will engage and empower participants to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on balancing scientific and technological innovation with fairness and justice through a human-centred approach.

Course presentation

  • Venue, duration, schedule

    Location

    LUMSA Human Academy – Fondazione Luigia Tincani, Via Giuseppe Gioachino Belli n. 86, Roma


    Durata

    25 hours


    Dates

    22–26 June 2026


    Hours

    9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. / 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  • Eligibility and Certificate Awarded

    Destinatari

    The course is intended for university students, graduates, PhD candidates, professionals, United Nations staff and anyone interested in artificial intelligence who would like to explore the intersection of AI, ethics and human rights in greater depth.


    Certificate awarded

    Certificate of attendance at: "Summer School on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Ethics and Human Rights".

  • Structure and Program

    For in-person participants

    Classes will be held at the Lumsa Human Academy, Monday to Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.


    For online registrants

    Lectures will be streamed on the dedicated online platform, Google Meet, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.


    Programma

    The Summer School offers professional, legal, social, scientific and academic perspectives through lectures, interactive discussions, case studies and expert insights. Its faculty includes leading scholars and academics from LUMSA and other universities, alongside representatives of the United Nations system, international human rights organisations and civil society. Whether attending in person at the beautiful LUMSA Human Academy venue in the heart of Rome, Italy, or via a dedicated online platform, participants will have the opportunity to engage with internationally recognised experts and peers from around the world, exchange views and perspectives, and build lasting professional relationships. This specialised course aims to foster intercultural dialogue and promote a deeper understanding of some of the world’s most complex and debated issues.


    (UNICRI and LHA reserve the right to modify or supplement any content mentioned or cited above, with or without prior notice. They shall not be held liable in any way for such modifications or supplements in relation to participants or third-party affiliates.)

  • Scientific Committee

    Directors

    Professor Laura Palazzani, Full Professor of Philosophy of Law at LUMSA University, Rome

    Dr Cristina Nardelli, Senior Fellow at the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI).


    Comitato Scientifico

    Prof. Stefano Zamagni, President of Lumsa Human Academy

    Prof. Iolanda Piccinini, Full Professor of Labour Law, LUMSA University

    Prof. Margherita Daverio, researcher (RTD-A) in Philosophy of Law, LUMSA University;

    Prof. Valerio Mancini, Adjunct Professor Rome Business School

    Prof. Marco Isceri, Attorney, Ph.D., Professor at LUMSA University.

  • Fees

    €1,000 in person;

    €800 online;


    payable to Lumsa Human Academy – Fondazione Luigia Tincani ETS Intesa San Paolo IBAN IT 72 W 03069 09606 100000 189585 (please specify your first name, last name and course title in the payment reference).

  • Partnership

    UNICRI

    The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) is a United Nations entity mandated to assist intergovernmental, governmental and non governmental organizations in their efforts to formulate and implement improved policies in the fields of crime prevention and justice administration. UNICRI is one of the six United Nations Training Institutes.

    Since 2015, UNICRI has addressed the challenges of AI through its Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in The Hague (The Netherlands), which promotes understanding of AI’s risks and benefits through coordination, knowledge-sharing, and awareness-raising. This Centre is dedicated to understanding and addressing the risks and benefits of AI and robotics from the perspective of crime and security through awareness-raising, education, exchange of information, and harmonization of stakeholders.


    LUMSA University

    In 2024  has established a Center for Bioethics and Digital Transition in Rome, which promotes a interdisciplinary dialogue including informatics, human and social sciences, ethics, law, and politics, in order to reflect on the theoretical foundation and practical application of a human- centric perspective on AI. The Center is coordinating european and international research projects on ethics of AI in the field of medicine, and in the workplace, with a specific focus on vulnerabilities.

Registration form

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IF YOU ARE A VAT-REGISTERED BUSINESS AND WISH TO RECEIVE AN INVOICE, PLEASE ALSO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING DETAILS:
I DECLARE THAT I MEET AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS
The course is entirely in English. Therefore, a strong command of the English language is essential. By ticking this box, I hereby certify that my level of English (both spoken and written) is such that it allows me to understand lectures and actively participate in classroom activities. I understand that a phone interview can be arranged to assess my English language proficiency.
TO BE ATTACHED TO THIS APPLICATION (in a single PDF file/ in one PDF file): - Curriculum vitae - Copy of a valid identity document and tax code - Proof of payment to Lumsa Human Academy - Fondazione Luigia Tincani Intesa San Paolo. IBAN code IT72W0306909606100000189585 (please specify your first name, surname and course title in the payment reference).
Having read and accepted the conditions set out in the call for applications, I HEREBY APPLY for admission to the SUMMER SCHOOL ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, ETHICS AND HUMAN RIGHTS. I declare that I am aware that false statements are subject to criminal penalties pursuant to Article 76 of Presidential Decree No. 445 of December 28, 2000, as amended, and that the Foundation will carry out checks, including spot checks, to verify the truthfulness of the statements made, pursuant to Articles 71, 75 and 76 of the same Presidential Decree.