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Rabat – Al Akhawayn University (AUI) recently welcomed hundreds of students, researchers, and professionals from Morocco, other African countries, Europe, the Americas, and Asia for the third edition of its AI Summer School, held on campus from August 25 to 30.
The event offered a space to explore the potential of AI while reflecting on its ethical and societal responsibilities.
This year’s theme, “Responsible AI: Designing with Safety, Fairness, and Impact,” framed every session. Attendees participated in lectures, workshops, and a hackathon designed to combine technical skills with critical perspectives on AI’s impact.
The program began with a presentation by Akram Zaytar from Microsoft, who shared innovations from the AI for Good Lab, including the use of satellites for disaster assessment and advanced data-centered mapping tools.
The second day focused on trust and security in AI systems. Key contributions came from Kamal Bechkoum of the Minsky Academy, Lakshmi Goel, Dean of the School of Business Administration at AUI, and Boubakr Nour, senior cybersecurity researcher at Ericsson, highlighting the importance of reliable and safe AI deployment.
The summer school dedicated a program to women in AI, spotlighting leadership and inclusivity.
Cultivating responsibility and impact beyond academia
Amal Rannen-Triki from Google DeepMind presented a talk titled “AI for All = AI by All,” while Ruchi Mahindru of IBM guided participants in evaluating AI agents in automated IT systems.
During the hackathon, teams refined solutions under the guidance of mentors and a jury including Nasser Assem, Youness Jamri, Tom Willkens, and Akram Zaytar. The jury commended both creativity and relevance in the projects presented.
Amine Bensaid, President of Al Akhawayn University, said in a press statement: “Al Akhawayn designed this AI Summer School to go beyond an academic program. This edition brought together an international group committed to using artificial intelligence in ways that serve society, with fairness, inclusivity, and meaningful impact.”
The event received strong support from the School of Science and Engineering at AUI, led by Salah Al-Majeed, and benefited from the engagement of AFRETEC, faculty members, and volunteers.
AFRETEC (African Engineering and Technology Network) connects top African universities in science and technology.
The network develops talent, promotes entrepreneurship, and encourages research and innovation to advance an inclusive digital transformation across the continent.
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