Courses

Winter School on Artificial Intelligence, Ethics and Human Rights

IV Edition

In Partnership con:

Headquarters: LHA / online

Duration: 25 hours

Date: December 14-18, 2026

Cost: €1000 in person / €800 online

Registration: until November 30th

Open Day

It will take place online on May 13, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Register and participate to learn all the information about the course.

The rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping societies and creating new opportunities for efficiency and innovation. However, these developments present significant ethical challenges, particularly in safeguarding fundamental human rights. Issues such as algorithmic bias, discrimination, and equity highlight the disproportionate effects AI can have on marginalized communities. The tension between public safety and personal freedom 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 from AI advances. In December 2024, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the Security Council, stating, "The fate of humanity cannot be left to algorithms." He emphasized the urgent need for international AI governance, warning that the rapid pace of AI development is outpacing regulatory efforts, 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 offers a comprehensive understanding of the key scientific characteristics of AI (starting with a definition, describing its key features, and recent developments and innovations) and emerging ethical issues and their impact on human rights in today's landscape. Participants will explore the key ethical principles and values surrounding AI, such as meaningful human control, trustworthiness, explainability, transparency, non-discrimination, privacy, surveillance, autonomy and responsibility, and sustainability. They will examine how these principles and values should guide our actions throughout the AI lifecycle, from design to development/implementation to real-world applications.


The aim is to outline how technologies can threaten human dignity or be used to protect human dignity, from a human-centered perspective. Over the course of the week, participants will delve into the philosophical and legal frameworks governing AI and human rights in the international context, exploring recent regulation in Europe (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 AI systems, highlighting their impact on marginalized communities and society, and highlighting the tension between public safety and personal freedom in an increasingly data-driven world. The ethical responsibilities of technology companies, governments, corporations, and individuals in mitigating the risks associated with AI and its impact on specific fields will also be explored. The course will also address artificial neurointelligence (at the convergence of neurotechnology and AI) and specific cases in healthcare, criminal justice, and labor rights, focusing on vulnerabilities. By the end of the course, participants will have developed an understanding of the complex relationship between AI, ethics, and human rights, equipping them with the interdisciplinary knowledge needed to critically evaluate the role of AI in society.


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

Course presentation

  • Location, duration, calendar

    Site

    Lumsa Human Academy – Luigia Tincani Foundation, Via Giuseppe Gioachino Belli n. 86, Rome


    Durata

    25 ore


    Date

    December 14-18, 2026


    Opening hours

    from 9.30 to 16.00

  • Recipients and Certificate Issued

    Destinatari

    The course is intended for undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students, professionals, UN staff, and AI enthusiasts interested in learning more about the intersection of AI, ethics, and human rights.


    Certificate issued

    Certificate of participation in: "Winter School on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Ethics and Human Rights".

  • Structure and Program

    For those registered in attendance

    Classes will be held at the Lumsa Human Academy, Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.


    For online members

    The lessons will be streamed on the dedicated online platform, Google Meet, from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.


    Programma

    The Winter School offers professional, legal, social, scientific, and academic perspectives through lectures, interactive discussions, case studies, and expert insights. The Winter School faculty includes leading scholars and academics from LUMSA and other universities, along with representatives of the United Nations system, international human rights bodies, and civil society. Whether attending the course in person at the splendid LUMSA Human Academy in the heart of Rome, Italy, or via a dedicated online platform, participants will have the opportunity to interact with internationally recognized experts and colleagues from around the world, exchange opinions and perspectives, and build lasting professional relationships. The specialized course experience aims to foster intercultural dialogue and foster a deeper understanding of some of the world's most complex and debated issues.


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

  • Scientific Committee, Directors and Coordinators

    Directors

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

    Dott. Cristina Nardelli, Senior Fellow at 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.


    Educational Coordinator

    Prof. Valerio Mancini, Adjunct Professor Rome Business School


    Classroom Tutor

    Dr. Giacomo Chironi

  • Teachers

    Describe the item or answer the question so interested visitors can learn more. You can highlight the text with bullet points, italics, or bold, and add links.

  • Costs

    Euro 1000 in attendance;

    Euro 800 in online mode;


    to be paid to Lumsa Human Academy – Fondazione Luigia Tincani ETS Intesa San Paolo IBAN IT 72 W 03069 09606 100000 189585 (specify name, surname and course title in the reason for payment).

  • 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

Contact us

IF YOU HAVE A VAT NUMBER AND WISH TO RECEIVE AN INVOICE, ALSO FILL IN THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
I DECLARE THAT I HAVE 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 one PDF file): - Curriculum vitae - Copy of a valid identification document and tax code - Copy of the payment made to Lumsa Human Academy - Fondazione Luigia Tincani Intesa San Paolo. IBAN code IT72W0306909606100000189585 (please specify name, surname, and course title in the reason for payment).
Aware of having read and accepted the conditions set out in the announcement, registration is REQUIRED for the WINTER SCHOOL ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, ETHICS AND HUMAN RIGHTS. To this end, aware that false declarations are punishable by law pursuant to art. 76 of Presidential Decree no. 2/2 445 of 28 December 2000 and subsequent amendments, and that the Foundation will carry out checks, including random checks, to ensure the veracity of the declarations made, pursuant to art. 71, 75, and 76 of the same Presidential Decree.