The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping societies and creating new opportunities for efficiency and innovation. However, these developments present significant ethical challenges, particularly in protecting fundamental human rights. Issues such as algorithmic bias, discrimination, and fairness highlight the disproportionate effects AI can have on marginalized communities. The tension between public safety and personal freedom becomes especially critical as AI technologies are increasingly integrated into vital sectors, including criminal justice, healthcare, and labor.
The international community continues to grapple with the challenges posed by AI advancements. In December 2024, UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the Security Council, stating, “Humanity’s fate can’t be left to algorithms.” He stressed the urgent need for global AI governance, warning that the rapid pace of AI development is outpacing regulatory efforts, increasing risks to global peace and security. The Secretary-General Guterres highlighted critical concerns, including safety, equality, accountability, and the need to maintain human oversight in AI-driven decision-making.
The need to advance knowledge on AI and challenges associated with the protection of human rights and ethical principles is becoming increasingly urgent. It is equally essential to foster the development of a new generation of experts equipped to tackle today’s challenges while anticipating those of the future. In response to this need, UNICRI and LUMSA Human Academy are hosting a unique and specialised training dedicated to these critical topics.
The Summer School offers a comprehensive knowledge of the main scientific features of AI, starting with its definition, exploring its key characteristics, and examining recent developments and innovations. It also addresses emerging ethical questions and their impact on human rights in today’s landscape.
Participants will engage with key ethical principles and values surrounding AI, such as meaningful human control, trustworthiness, explainability, transparency, non-discrimination, privacy, surveillance, autonomy, accountability, and sustainability. They will also examine how these principles and values should guide our actions throughout the AI life-cycle, from design and development to deployment and real-world applications.
The objective is to illustrate how technologies may pose risks to or help safeguard human dignity from a human-centric perspective.
Over the week, participants will delve into the philosophical and legal frameworks governing AI and human rights in the international context, exploring recent regulations 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, emphasizing their impact on marginalized communities and society. It will also highlight the tension between public safety and personal freedom in an increasingly data-driven world. Additionally, the course will also address the ethical responsibilities of tech companies, governments, societies, and individuals in mitigating the risks associated with AI and its impact on specific fields. Furthermore, it will explore neuro-AI (the convergence of neurotechnologies and AI) and examine specific cases in healthcare, criminal justice, and labor rights, focusing on vulnerabilities.
By the end of the course, participants will have developed a nuanced understanding of the complex relationship between AI, ethics, and human rights, equipping them with interdisciplinary knowledge and critical awareness to evaluate AI’s role in society.
Through lectures, document analysis, case studies, interactive debates, and expert insights, participants will explore ways to ensure that AI is developed and deployed with a strong emphasis on ethical considerations and respect for human rights. 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 in a human-centric approach.
This course will take place within the AI Literacy Programme, conducted by UNICRI through its Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in The Hague, The Netherlands, since 2016. The programme promotes awareness of AI’s risks and benefits through a human rights-based approach, fostering to practical coordination, knowledge-sharing, and public engagement. This Centre is dedicated to the responsible development and use of AI and robotics from the perspective of crime and security, focusing on awareness-raising, education, information exchange, and stakeholders harmonization.
In 2024, LUMSA University established the Center for Bioethics and Digital Transition in Rome, which promotes an interdisciplinary dialogue encompassing informatics, human and social sciences, ethics, law, and politics. Its goal is to reflect on the theoretical foundations and practical application of a human-centric perspective to AI. The Center coordinates European and international research projects on AI ethics in medicine and the workplace, with a specific focus on vulnerabilities.
The course is designed for university students, postgraduates, Ph.D. candidates, professionals, UN personnel, and AI enthusiasts interested in exploring the intersection of AI, ethics, and human rights.
The Summer School offers professional, legal, social, scientific, and academic perspectives through lectures, interactive debates, case studies, and expert insights. The faculty of the Summer School comprises leading scholars and academics from LUMSA and other universities, along with representatives from the United Nations system, international human rights bodies, and civil society organizations.
Whether attending the course in person at the LUMSA Human Academy’s beautiful premises in the heart of Rome (Italy), or through a dedicated online platform, participants will have the opportunity to interact with internationally recognized experts and peers from all over the world, exchange views and opinions, and build lasting professional relationships. The Summer School experience aims to foster intercultural dialogue and promote a deeper understanding of some of the world’s most complex and debated issues.
Relevant information
Dates: 23-27 June 2025
Venue: Rome (Italy), LUMSA Human Academy Premises or online
Application deadline: 8 June 2025 (rolling basis)
Entry requirements
The course is intended for university and post-graduate students, Ph.D. candidates, including United Nations (UN) personnel, and AI enthusiasts interested in exploring the intersection of AI, ethics, and human rights.
Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Be enrolled in, or have completed, a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent).
- Possess a strong command of the English language.
Course methodology
The Summer School adopts a hybrid model of learning, which allows participants to attend lectures either in person or virtually through their own devices to accomodate individual needs.
Classes will be delivered live at LUMSA Human Academy in Rome (Italy) for those attending on-site and will be streamed for those joining remotely. Special attention will be devoted to ensuring synchronous and seamless interaction between instructors and participants, both online and in class.
The class schedule may be subject to change to include additional activities, which will be communicated before the course begins. Absences resulting from inadequate planning will not be considered justified. Participants who do not complete the course will not be entitled to a certificate, refunds, or reductions in registration fees.
In-person modality
Classes will take place at LUMSA Human Academy in Rome (Italy) from Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm CEST.
Online modality
Classes will be streamed via a dedicated online platform from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm CEST from Monday to Friday. Online participants are expected to adjust their schedules to fully participate in the classes, irrespective of the time zones they are in.
Participants need a computer (recommended) or a mobile device with audio and video capabilities, a headset with a microphone to connect to the audio through the computer or mobile device, as well as a reliable internet connection. It is recommend to access audio through the computer. No special software is required. Upon acceptance to the course, participants will be provided with information on how to access the platform.
Registration Fees
In-person modality: 1,000 Euro.
Online modality: 800 Euro.
Registration fee includes:
● Tuition
● Course material
● Lectures’ recordings (upon request)
Cancellation and refunds
In the event of a participant’s cancellation for any reason, including visa denial, registration fees will not be refunded.
Certificate of participation
Upon completion of the entire Spring/Summer School programme, participants will receive a certificate of participation jointly issued by the United Nations and LUMSA Human Academy. The organizers retain the discretion to consider exceptional reasons for absences when issuing the certificate.
Contacts
Email: unicri.courses@un.org – info@lumsahumanacademy.it (please indicate “Artificial Intelligence” in the subject of the email)
UNICRI: +39 06 6789 907 | LUMSA Human Academy: +39 06 6842 2931
How to Apply:
The selection is carried out on a rolling basis.
Please click on this link and follow the instructions to apply through the Lumsa Human Academy portal. If you need any assistance, you can contact us via email or phone (contact details below).
Applicants requiring a VISA (IMPORTANT)
Applicants wishing to attend in person and requiring a visa are advised to submit an early application (preferably by 31 March 2025) and notify the Administrative Office of this circumstance. The visa will be issued by the competent Italian Diplomatic Authorities in the countries of nationality or residence of participants or the relevant Visa Application Center.
Please note that booking an appointment with the competent Italian Diplomatic Authorities or the Visa Application Center may take up to 3 months, and issuing a visa takes approximately 30 days. Neither UNICRI nor LUMSA Human Academy can be held accountable in the event of visa refusal.
