ELLIS Milan + RIKEN AIP: Joint ELIAS Workshop
2026-05-07 14:00 - 2026-05-08 17:00 (Europe/Rome)
Event Overview

We are delighted to announce the upcoming ELLIS Unit Milan & RIKEN AIP Joint ELIAS Workshop, a two-day collaborative event aimed at fostering deep connections and exchanging cutting-edge ideas in AI research.
Taking place at the University of Milan, this workshop brings together leading researchers with special participation from the ELIAS Network, the ELLIS Unit Milan, and RIKEN AIP (Advanced Intelligence Project, Japan).

What to Expect
The scientific program features a dynamic series of short talks, each consisting of a 20-minute presentation followed by a 5-minute Q&A. These sessions are designed to spark dialogue, highlight recent breakthroughs, and build bridges between the European and Japanese AI research communities.
Participation Details
Please note: This is a closed event.

In-Person: Attendance at the University of Milan is strictly limited to researchers from ELLIS Milan and RIKEN AIP.
Virtual/Streaming: All talks will be live-streamed exclusively for partners of the ELIAS Consortium and RIKEN AIP, enabling broader remote engagement and cross-border collaboration.

See the official webpage

Details

Start: May 7, 2026

End: May 8, 2026

Website

Visit Event Website

Organisers

ELLIS Unit Milan, RIKEN AIP & ELIAS

View Organiser Website

Venue

Università degli Studi di Milano

Milan, Italy

(Hybrid Event for ELIAS Consortium & RIKEN AIP)

© 2026 ELLIS Unit Milan, RIKEN AIP & ELIAS. All rights reserved.

Geometric Alignment in AI: From Optimal Transport to Efficient and Robust Algorithmic Solutions — Session with Laetitia Chapel
2026-05-20 15:00 - 16:30 | ONLINE
Keynote Abstract
Geometric Alignment in AI: From Optimal Transport to Efficient and Robust Algorithmic Solutions
The concept of alignment has emerged as a central theme in contemporary artificial intelligence (AI), encompassing multiple interpretations. At a high level, alignment refers to ensuring that AI systems behave in accordance with human values, norms, or ethical constraints — a perspective that underpins much of the recent discourse on AI safety.
In a more technical sense, alignment involves establishing correspondences between mathematical or computational objects, such as aligning representations from different models, data distributions, or model outputs across domains. Optimal Transport often serves as a key component in these alignment measures, offering a robust and versatile framework for complex comparisons.
In this talk, Laetitia Chapel will present contributions aimed at making Optimal Transport computationally efficient and robust, with a particular focus on structured data. By developing principled, geometry-aware, and data-efficient approaches to alignment, she addresses problems where insight, structure, and theory take precedence over brute-force computation.

Spotlight on DiverseCareer Trajectories
About the Series
Many are the young scientists wishing to pursue a career in research, but decidedly less are those knowing in which key area they should specialise. This holds especially true in the fast-paced and developing AI field, where economical, societal and scientific stakes are high; it can thus be difficult for junior researchers to reconcile current AI research with long-term goals such as a sustainable and ethical use of AI for future generations.
Furthermore, while it is relatively easy to identify the PhD degree as a first step in this sometimes daunting journey, the path forward is often unclear: what comes next after the PhD defence? How many postdoc positions is enough? How to best incorporate evolving research interests?
This new series of seminars aims to support young researchers keen to embark on an AI journey, by exploring diverse career paths within the double scope of Sustainable AI and AI for Sustainability. Sessions focus on internationally renowned speakers from diverse backgrounds whose past and/or present research strives to ensure a fair, sustainable use of AI in various fields. Following a short keynote, a discussion will follow where the guest researchers discuss different topics pertaining to their career of choice, how they came to embrace it, as well as the trials they faced along the way.

Laetitia Chapel
IRISA · Institut de Recherche en Informatique et Systèmes Aléatoires

Date Tuesday, 20 May 2026

Time 15.00-16.30

Platform Zoom Webinar

Register for Webinar
View Full Profile

Who should attend?
This seminar series is designed for PhD and Master students as well as postdoctoral researchers interested in building a career at the intersection of AI, sustainability, and ethics.
Each session offers both a scientific keynote and an open career discussion — a rare opportunity to learn from diverse, internationally recognised research trajectories.

ELLIS / ELIAS / ELLIOT / ELSA HCML Workshop 2026
2026-05-27 08:00 - 2026-05-28 17:00 | Sede Universitaria Ciudad de Alicante, Av. de Ramón y Cajal, 4, Alicante, 03001, Spain
General Info
Description
Schedule
Speakers
Networks
Venue
FAQ
Registration

Scientific Event
General Information

FormatHybrid — in-person attendance in Alicante + online via Microsoft Teams
Duration2 days (working dinner on May 27; main workshop on May 28)
LanguageEnglish
TimezoneCEST (UTC+2)
Open to
ELLIS
ELIAS
ELLIOT
ELSA

Focus areasRobustness, safety & security, fairness, transparency, accountability, interpretability of LLMs, VLMs, and multimodal systems
LocationSala Rafael Altamira, Sede Universitaria Ciudad de Alicante, Spain
FeeNone

Working Dinner
27 May 202619:00 – 21:00

Main Workshop
28 May 202609:00 – 18:15

Online
Teams LinkTBC after registration

About
Description
This is the annual workshop of the ELLIS Human-centric Machine Learning Program, bringing together researchers from across the ELLIS, ELIAS, ELLIOT, and ELSA networks. Hosted in Alicante, Spain, the workshop focuses on trustworthy AI — one of the most pressing challenges in modern machine learning.
Topics span the full spectrum of trustworthy AI: robustness, safety and security, fairness, transparency, accountability, and interpretability of large-scale AI systems including LLMs, VLMs, and multimodal architectures.
The workshop is co-organized by Adrian Weller, Plamen Angelov, and Nuria Oliver. Its goals are to share an update on ELLIS, understand what each fellow is working on, and explore concrete ways to collaborate.
Both in-person attendance in Alicante and hybrid online participation via Microsoft Teams are supported.

Program
Schedule
All times in CEST (UTC+2). Agenda reflects the confirmed program structure.

Pre

Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Working Dinner & Panel

19:00 – 21:00

Dinner + Panel
AI in Higher Education

Cristina Cachero, University of Alicante
Moderator: Nuria Oliver

1

Thursday, 28 May 2026
Main Workshop — Trustworthy AI

09:00 – 09:20

Welcome
Welcome & Coffee

09:20 – 09:30

Introduction
Aims of the Workshop
ELLIS update · Fellows' work · Collaboration opportunities

Plamen Angelov, Nuria Oliver, Adrian Weller

09:30 – 10:30

Invited Talk
Dismantling Myths of Omnipotence: Foundation Models, Diversity and Epistemic Justice

Paula Helm, Goethe University — 40' talk + discussion

10:30 – 11:15

Session 1
AI Safety and Security

Nuria Oliver (ELLIS Alicante) — Jailbreaking reasoning models
Juan Antonio Pérez-Ortiz (Universitat d'Alacant) — Ethics of collecting linguistic data from indigenous people
Summary and Q&A

11:15 – 11:45

Break
Coffee Break

11:45 – 13:15

Session 2
Humans and AI

Bruno Lepri (Fondazione Bruno Kessler) — Generative AI collective behavior: an interactionist paradigm
Ciro Cattuto (ISI Foundation) — Agent frameworks for complex systems simulation
Umang Bhatt (University of Cambridge) — Building a Human API
Plamen Angelov (Lancaster University) — Knowledge preserving continual learning
Summary and Q&A

13:15 – 15:00

Lunch
Lunch — Mareando la Huerta

15:00 – 16:00

PhD & PostDoc Forum
Spotlight Talks — Early Career Researchers
5-minute talks per researcher

AI Safety
Ella Streefkerk (Goethe University Frankfurt)
Diego Miguel Lozano (ELLIS Alicante)
Adrián Arnaiz (ELLIS Alicante)
Bias & Fairness
Aditya Gulati (ELLIS Alicante)
Mengting Wei (University of Oulu)
Ioannis Sarridis (CERTH)
AI, Humans & Society
Julien Colin (ELLIS Alicante)
Kim Zierhan (ELLIS Alicante)
Ariella Shulman (University of Cambridge)
Elaf Almahmoud (University of Cambridge)

16:00 – 17:00

Invited Talk
Talk title TBC

Tom Lenaerts, Université libre de Bruxelles / Vrije Universiteit Brussel — 40' talk + discussion

18:00 – 18:15

Closing
Discussion & Closing

Invited Speakers
Confirmed Speakers

Invited Talk
Paula Helm
Goethe University — Dismantling Myths of Omnipotence: Foundation Models, Diversity and Epistemic Justice

Invited Talk
Tom Lenaerts
Université libre de Bruxelles / Vrije Universiteit Brussel — Talk title TBC

Session 2
Bruno Lepri
Fondazione Bruno Kessler — Generative AI collective behavior: an interactionist paradigm

Session 2
Ciro Cattuto
ISI Foundation — Agent frameworks for complex systems simulation

Session 2
Umang Bhatt
University of Cambridge — Building a Human API

Session 2
Plamen Angelov
Lancaster University — Knowledge preserving continual learning

Participation
Open Networks
The workshop is open to participants from the following European AI research networks. Researchers working on trustworthy, safe, robust, secure, and interpretable AI systems are especially encouraged to register.

ELLIS — European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems
ELIAS — European Lighthouse of AI for Sustainability
ELLIOT — ELLIS network participants
ELSA — European Lighthouse on Secure and Safe AI

The workshop is part of the ELLIS Programs initiative, inspired by the CIFAR Program model, and closely collaborates with the CIFAR LMB (Learning in Machines and Brains) Program.

Location
Venue
Workshop activities will be held at the Sala Rafael Altamira, Sede Universitaria Ciudad de Alicante, Spain. Online participants can attend via a Microsoft Teams link, to be confirmed after registration.

RoomSala Rafael Altamira
VenueSede Universitaria Ciudad de Alicante
CityAlicante, Spain
OnlineMicrosoft Teams — link TBC post-registration

FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions

Who can attend the workshop?
The workshop is open to participants from the ELLIS, ELIAS, ELLIOT, and ELSA networks — especially those working on trustworthy, safe, robust, secure, and interpretable AI systems. Register via the form to confirm attendance.

Is online attendance possible?
Yes. The workshop supports hybrid attendance. Online participants will receive a Microsoft Teams link after registering via the registration form.

Is there a registration fee?
No. The workshop is free to attend for eligible participants from ELLIS, ELIAS, ELLIOT, and ELSA networks.

What is the ELLIS Programs model?
ELLIS Programs are thematic research groups directed by outstanding European researchers and including leading researchers as Program Fellows. They focus on high-impact AI problem areas, are inspired by the CIFAR Program model, and closely collaborate with the CIFAR LMB Program. Each Program has a budget for 2–3 workshops per year.

Event Status
⏱ Registration is open

Dates
27–28 May, 2026

Location
Alicante, Spain

Attendance
Hybrid Access

Cost
Free of Charge

Secure Your Seat →

Program Co-Organizers

AW

Adrian Weller
University of Cambridge

PA

Plamen Angelov
Lancaster University

NO

Nuria Oliver
ELLIS Alicante

Join Event
Register Today
Please complete the formal sign-up via the Microsoft registration form system to reserve your physical seat in Alicante or obtain the online streaming links.

1
Click the Register Now action link down below.

2
Fill out your profile details along with network affiliation status (ELLIS, ELIAS, ELLIOT, or ELSA).

3
Receive calendar configuration parameters and the Microsoft Teams broadcast channel links directly via email.

💡
Notice for Remote Attendees: Remote entry lines open 15 minutes before the initial schedule blocks launch each day.

Register Now via Microsoft Forms →

Generative AI for Climate and Weather - Session with Claire Monteleoni
2026-06-10 15:00 - 16:30 | ONLINE
Keynote Abstract
Generative AI for Climate and Weather
The stunning recent advances in frontier AI models rely on cutting-edge, generative deep learning algorithms and architectures trained on massive amounts of text, image, and video data. With different training data, these algorithms and architectures can benefit a variety of applications for addressing climate change. As opposed to text and video, the relevant training data includes weather and climate data from observations, reanalyses, and even physical simulations.
Many applications aimed at addressing climate change hinge on fundamental challenges of data fusion, interpolation, downscaling, and probabilistic domain alignment. Claire Monteleoni will provide a survey of recent work developing generative AI methods for these problems, with applications including weather forecasting, climate model emulation and scenario interpolation, and renewable energy planning.

Spotlight on DiverseCareer Trajectories
About the Series
Many are the young scientists wishing to pursue a career in research, but decidedly less are those knowing in which key area they should specialise. This holds especially true in the fast-paced and developing AI field, where economical, societal and scientific stakes are high; it can thus be difficult for junior researchers to reconcile current AI research with long-term goals such as a sustainable and ethical use of AI for future generations.
Furthermore, while it is relatively easy to identify the PhD degree as a first step in this sometimes daunting journey, the path forward is often unclear: what comes next after the PhD defence? How many postdoc positions is enough? How to best incorporate evolving research interests?
This new series of seminars aims to support young researchers keen to embark on an AI journey, by exploring diverse career paths within the double scope of Sustainable AI and AI for Sustainability. Sessions focus on internationally renowned speakers from diverse backgrounds whose past and/or present research strives to ensure a fair, sustainable use of AI in various fields. Following a short keynote, a discussion will follow where the guest researchers discuss different topics pertaining to their career of choice, how they came to embrace it, as well as the trials they faced along the way.

Claire Monteleoni
INRIA Paris · AI Research for Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability (ARCHES) · University of Colorado Boulder

Date Tuesday, 10 June 2026

Time 15.00–16.30

Platform Zoom Webinar

Register for Webinar
View Full Profile

Who should attend?
This seminar series is designed for PhD and Master students as well as postdoctoral researchers interested in building a career at the intersection of AI, sustainability, and ethics.
Each session offers both a scientific keynote and an open career discussion — a rare opportunity to learn from diverse, internationally recognised research trajectories.

IDEASHACK 2026: Bridging AI Research and Industry
2026-06-19 08:00 - 17:00
IDEASHACK 2026 is a Europe-wide sciencepreneurship hackathon organised by the IDEAS Research Institute within the Horizon Europe project ELIAS – European Lighthouse of AI for Sustainability. The event brings together researchers, innovators, and industry leaders to co-create solutions that strengthen collaboration between science and business.
Participants work in interdisciplinary teams to design concepts for platforms that map scientific expertise, research output, and implementation potential. The goal is to accelerate knowledge transfer and identify opportunities where academic research can translate into real-world applications. The hackathon runs in a hybrid format, welcoming teams from across Europe online and culminating in a Demo Day and Grand Final in Warsaw.

p

Key Facts

Format: Hybrid
Teams: Interdisciplinary, Europe-wide
Focus: AI, research valorisation, science–industry collaboration
Organiser: IDEAS Research Institute
Project: ELIAS (Horizon Europe)



Key Dates
23 March – 20 April — Team registration
24 April — Online kick-off
8 May — Project submission deadline
15 May — Finalists announced
19 June — Demo Day & Grand Final (Warsaw)



Key Dates
23 March – 20 April — Team registration
24 April — Online kick-off
8 May — Project submission deadline
15 May — Finalists announced
19 June — Demo Day & Grand Final (Warsaw)

Prizes

1st Place
€5,000

2nd Place
€4,000

3rd Place
€3,000

The first Polish edition of this hackathon took place in November 2024, bringing together interdisciplinary teams working at the intersection of AI, research, and innovation ecosystems.
IDEASHACK 2026 offers an opportunity to collaborate across disciplines, experiment with new ideas, and contribute to building tools that improve how research and innovation interact across Europe.
Read about the previous edition: IDEAHACK 2024: Bridging Academia, Business, and Investors at Poland’s First Sciencepreneurship Hackathon

Ready to build the next generation of science–industry collaboration tools?

Learn More

Join the event

Details

Date: 16-17 November 2024

Location: IDEAS NCBR, Chmielna 69, Varso Tower, Warsaw, Poland

Venue

IDEAS NCBR

Chmielna 69, Varso Tower

Warsaw, Poland

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Workshop on Multimodal Foundation Models: From Research to Innovation
2026-07-01 09:30 - 13:00 | Computer Vision Center, Edifici O, Campus UAB, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
Event Details
About the Workshop
Organizers
Registration

Information
Event Details

DateWednesday, 01 July 2026
Time09:30 - 13:00
FormatHybrid (In-person and Online)
AudiencePublic
LocationInstitut d’Estudis Catalans (IEC) in Barcelona

Registration Deadline (Face-to-face)
June 24, 2026

Registration Deadline (Online)
June 30, 2026

Context
About the Workshop
Multimodal foundation models are becoming central to the next generation of artificial intelligence. By learning from and connecting different types of data — such as text, images, video, audio, 3D, sensors and other data streams — these models open new possibilities for more generalisable, robust and adaptable AI systems.
The workshop will feature invited talks by top researchers in the field, presenting recent developments in multimodal foundation model research. These scientific contributions will be complemented by an invited industry talk and a panel discussion on the role of AI-driven innovation in connecting research breakthroughs with practical applications.
On 1 July 2026, the European AI research community will gather in Barcelona for the Workshop on Multimodal Foundation Models: From Research to Innovation. Bringing together leading researchers, industry representatives and European AI initiatives, the event will create a space for scientific exchange, applied perspectives and discussion on the future of AI-driven innovation.

Partners
Organizers
The event is hosted by the Computer Vision Center (CVC), and co-organised by the following partners:

ELLIOT
ELLIS Unit Barcelona
ELLIS Programme on Multimodal Learning Systems
ELIAS
XARXA RDI-IA

The event is proudly supported by the city council of Barcelona.

Join us
Registration
Secure your spot for the Workshop on Multimodal Foundation Models. Please ensure you sign up before the respective deadlines for face-to-face (June 24) and online participation (June 30).
Register for the Event →

Quick Actions
Register Now

For more updates, detailed program schedules, and speaker announcements, please check out the official event portal:
Official Event Page

ELLIS Doctoral Symposium 2026 on Trustworthy AI
2026-07-27 09:00 - 2026-07-30 17:00 | Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon, Portugal
The ELLIS Doctoral Symposium (EDS) is back this summer for its sixth edition in the vibrant city of Lisbon, Portugal! From July 27 to 30, immerse yourself in an exciting week of cutting-edge scientific discussions, valuable networking opportunities, and a chance to experience Portugal’s warm and welcoming culture.
🎓 What is EDS?
The ELLIS Doctoral Symposium is the highlight of the year for the ELLIS PhD Program, gathering ELLIS PhD students alongside others in the field for an enriching exchange of knowledge in machine learning. The theme for EDS 202 is “Trustworthy AI.”
👥 What to Expect?
The symposium provides a platform for young researchers to present their work, exchange ideas, and engage in discussions on the future of AI, particularly in creating future AI systems that are reliable, safe, and adaptable. Through a series of talks, panels, poster sessions, and networking opportunities, EDS 2026 will promote collaboration and innovation in the field of AI, helping to shape the next generation of AI researchers.
First registration round is currently open and accepting submissions until April 26th, 2026.

Programme

27 July (Day 1)

Time

Duration

Session Name

12:30–13:30

1 hour

Registration

13:30–14:00

30 mins

Welcome remarks
Mario Figueiredo, ELLIS Unit Lisbon Director & ELLIS Fellow

14:00–15:00

1 hour

Keynote
André Martins, ELLIS Fellow and Co-Director of the ELLIS NLP Program

15:00–16:00

1 hour

Opening Keynote
Asja Fischer, ELLIS Scholar and member of the Theory, Algorithms and Computations ELLIS Program

16:00–18:00

2 hours

Opening Poster Session

17:00–19:00

2 hours

Welcome Reception

28 July (Day 2)

Time

Duration

Session Name

09:00–10:00

1 hour

Early Career Talks
Marcos Treviso, ELLIS Unit Lisbon Faculty
Catarina Barata, ELLIS Scholar

10:00–11:00

1 hour

Keynote
Desmond Elliott, ELLIS Unit Copenhagen

11:00–11:30

30 mins

Coffee Break

11:30–12:30

1 hour

Keynote
Pedro Bizarro, Chief Scientific Officer, Feedzai

12:30–14:00

1.5 hours

Lunch

14:00–14:30

30 mins

Industry Pitch Talks

14:30–15:15

45 mins

Career Development Panel: Academia & Industry
Various speakers

15:15–16:00

45 mins

PhD Lightning Talks

16:00–18:00

2 hours

Posters
Drinks & Nibbles will be served

19:00–20:00

1 hour

Optional social event

29 July (Day 3)

Time

Duration

Session Name

09:00–10:00

1 hour

Early Career Talks
Emanuel Gonçalves, ELLIS Scholar
Zita Marinho, ELLIS Unit Lisbon Faculty

10:00–11:00

1 hour

Keynote
Gustau Camps-Valls, ELLIS Fellow and Co-Director of ELLIS Earth and Climate Sciences Program

11:00–11:30

30 mins

Coffee Break

11:30–14:30

3 hours

Industry Fair

12:30–14:00

1.5 hours

Lunch

14:30–15:00

30 mins

PhD Lightning Talks

15:00–16:00

1 hour

Local Keynote
Ana Paiva, ELLIS Fellow

16:00–18:00

2 hours

Posters
Drinks & Nibbles will be served

19:00–22:00

3 hours

Gala Dinner
Casa do Alentejo

30 July (Day 4)

Time

Duration

Session Name

09:15–11:00

1 hour 45 mins

PhD lightning talks

11:00–11:30

30 mins

Coffee Break

11:30–12:30

1 hour

Keynote
João Santinha, Champalimaud Foundation

12:30–14:00

1.5 hours

Lunch

14:00–15:00

1 hour

Closing Keynote
Isabel Valera, ELLIS Fellow and member of the Robust ML Program

15:00–15:30

30 mins

Group photo

15:30–16:00

30 mins

Closing remarks, announcement of poster winners, announcement of next EDS location
Isabel Trancoso, ELLIS Fellow and ELLIS Unit Lisbon member

N.B. Please note that the program is currently in development and is subject to minor changes. The program will be updated regularly.



General Information
EDS is open to all ELLIS PhDs and postdocs, as well as PhD students of ELLIS Fellows/Scholars/Members who are not part of the ELLIS PhD program. Students who are not from the ELLIS network may only apply during the second round, pending space availability.
Capacity is limited to 200 participants. The organisers will prioritise students from the ELLIS network, and those who are early in their PhDs.
The participation fee for the ELLIS Doctoral Symposium 2026 is 150 EUR per person. The fee covers access to all conference sessions, coffee breaks, lunches, and social events.



Poster Instructions
All participants are encouraged to submit a poster – this is the best way to promote your research and get feedback from your peers.
Posters must represent original research (published or unpublished) conducted by the author(s) and can be printed in A0 or A1, portrait only. At registration, you will be asked to submit a preliminary title which will be used in the poster booklet.
You must print your poster yourself. If you want to print your poster in Lisbon you can use one of the following shops close to the venue:
http://www.zoomcopia.com/ – Address: Rua Dona Filipa de Vilhena 34A, Lisbon
Copitec – Centro de Cópias – Address: Alameda Dom Afonso Henriques 43B, Lisbon



V. Important Dates

Registration opens for ELLIS PhD students: 2nd March 2026
First registration round deadline: 26th April 2026
First acceptance notification: 5th May 2026
Registration opens for all students: 5th May 2026
Registration closes for all: 31st May 2026
Final acceptance notifications: 5th June 2026
Final payment deadline for all accepted students: 15th June 2026



Registration Form
To apply, please complete the following registration form by the indicated deadline above.

Register here

EDS Mobility Grants
Students may be eligible for travel funding through the following option:
ELIAS Mobility Program: ELLIS PhDs/postdocs whose applications to EDS2026 have been successfully accepted can apply to this funding. The funding is distributed on a ‘first come, first served’ basis until the allocated mobility funds for this event run out.

EDS26 Mobility grant (guidelines)
EDS26 Mobility Grant (ELIAS) Application
EDS26 Reimbursement Report (ELIAS Beneficiary)
EDS26 Reimbursement Report (Externals)

For any questions regarding the ELIAS mobility grant, please contact: phd@ellis.eu
ELIZA Mobility Program: ELLIS PhD students are eligible for this mobility grant only if they are based in one of the following ELIZA sites: Berlin, Darmstadt, Freiburg, Heidelberg, München, Saarbrücken, Tübingen.
To apply, please go here.

Learn More

EDS 2026 Official Website
Summary of Last Year’s EDS Event
Learn About the ELLIS PhD Program

Details
Start: July 27, 2026
End: July 30, 2026
Event Categories: Symposium, PhD Training
Event Tags: #eds2026, #TrustworthyAI, #ELLIS

Website
Visit Event Website

Organisers
ELLIS Unit Lisbon & Instituto Superior Técnico (ULisboa)

Venue
Instituto Superior Técnico
University of Lisbon
Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal

Location
The symposium will be hosted at the Alameda campus of IST, centrally located in Lisbon. The venue is a hub for technology and innovation, easily accessible via the Metro (Alameda or Saldanha stations).

© 2026 ELLIS Doctoral Symposium Lisbon. All rights reserved.

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ELIAS Network Expands Virtual Centre of Excellence to Advance Sustainable and Trustworthy AI Across Europe

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How to be a (Startup-) CTO
2026-08-31 08:00 - 2026-09-03 17:00 | HPI Potsdam, Campus II, August-Bebel-Str. 88, Potsdam, 14482, Germany
General Info
Description
Key Learnings
CTO Areas
Schedule
Examination
FAQ
Literature
Registration

Seminar
General Information

FormatBlock seminar, combining practical classes and panel discussions
Duration4-day intensive (corresponds to 2 semester hours/week)
ECTS3 ECTS
ExaminationWritten (scenario-based, non-multiple-choice)
LanguageEnglish
ParticipantsMaster's students and PhD candidates in Computer Science
Max. participants75 students
LocationHPI Potsdam, Campus II — August-Bebel-Str. 88, 14482 Potsdam
FeeNone
Module types
ITSE: HPI-MK
HPI-SSK-RW
HPI-SSK-ML
DE: HPI-SSK-RW
HPI-DE-RWM

Registration Deadline
28.08.2026

Summer School
31.08 – 03.09.2026

Exam Date
TBC

Details
Description
The Summer School "How to Be a (Startup) CTO" at HPI in Potsdam Griebnitzsee, close to Berlin, is an intensive 4-day seminar designed for master's students and PhD candidates seeking to understand the multifaceted role of a Chief Technology Officer in startup and tech environments.
Participants will learn about specific tasks and responsibilities of a CTO such as technology strategy, devops, leadership, building high-performing teams, retaining talent, healthy growth, communication, lean analytics and financing tech startups.
The summer school consists of a blend of classes, panels, fireside chats and reflection sessions — not only to gain knowledge but also to engage actively with expert speakers and other participants, and to reflect on their own career path.
The course aims to shed light on three central questions: What defines the role of a CTO in a startup? How does the role change over the growth phase? And what makes a great CTO — what skills are needed and how can one acquire them?

Key Learnings
What You Will Learn

Understand the CTO role in depth

What defines the role of a CTO in a startup and which are the most important roles she has to work with?
What skills does a CTO need and how can one acquire them? What is the difference between a Developer and a CTO?
How does the role of a CTO change over the growth phases of a company?

Solve real-world challenges with expert speakers

How does a sustainable technology strategy look like?
How can I create a masterplan for smooth operations?
How can I retain talent and facilitate healthy growth?
How can I build high-performing product and tech teams?
What does professional communication as a CTO require?
What is my role as a CTO in investment rounds?
How can I set clear, meaningful KPIs?

Develop an informed career perspective

Does the role of a CTO sound interesting to me?
Does this career option align with my interests, values and goals?

Curriculum
7 Core Responsibilities of a CTO
The whole course is broken up into seven central responsibilities — and the questions which come with each:

01 · Tech
Technology Strategy & Architecture
Selecting technology, testing and application architecture, including drafting the strategic vision towards an MVP. Balancing speed-to-market with technical debt and scalability concerns.

02 · HR
Hiring, Managing & Retaining Talent
Building and growing a high-performing team in today's fast-changing world. Local vs. remote strategies, budgeting for developers, and healthy team growth.

03 · Tracking
KPI Definition & Analytics
You can't manage what you can't measure. Choosing the right KPIs, ensuring transparency across the team, and using data to guide decisions.

04 · Product
Product Management & QA
Formalised product management as complexity grows. Working with a CPO, navigating the CTPO role, and ensuring quality assurance is properly owned.

05 · Operations
DevOps, Security & GDPR
Ensuring smooth operations in a DevOps era. Baking security and data protection in from day one and building a masterplan for operational resilience.

06 · Communication
Public Representation & Investor Relations
Communicating with investors, handling Tech DD, negotiating deals, and being a great public communicator who makes complex technology transparent for all stakeholders.

07 · Personal Qualifications
Staying on Top of the Game — and Staying Sane
Managing the immense demands of the CTO role while continuously learning, prioritising ruthlessly, and maintaining the mental stamina to go the distance. Building a startup is a marathon, not a sprint.

Program
Schedule
Details to be confirmed. Agenda below reflects the planned structure.

1

Sunday, 31 August 2026
Technology Strategy & Leadership Roles

ClassTechnology Strategy
PanelRoles & Responsibilities: CTO, CPO, CEO
ClassAI-first Company Building
ClassStaying on Top of the Game
SocialBBQ & Fireside Chat

2

Monday, 1 September 2026
People, Teams & Security

ClassRetaining Talent & Healthy Growth
ClassBuilding High-Performing Product & Tech Teams
ClassSecurity & Data Protection
PanelTransitioning from Engineer to Tech Leader: Personal Growth & Leadership Models

3

Tuesday, 2 September 2026
Operations, Communication & ELIAS Special

ClassCreating a Masterplan for Smooth Operations
ClassTalking Business — Communication for CTOs

ELIAS
Exclusive Panel: "A Shifting Mind: Transitioning from Scientist to Entrepreneur" ★ ELIAS Exclusive

4

Wednesday, 3 September 2026
Analytics & Financing

ClassLean Analytics — Setting KPIs that Matter
PanelFinancing Tech Startups — VC, Angels & Deal Terms

Assessment
Examination
The course ends with a scenario-based written examination (non-multiple-choice) covering all topics. Questions are compiled by the speakers and curated by HPI. Students will be presented with real-world situations and asked to describe how they would handle them — demonstrating both conceptual understanding and practical judgment.

FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions

How do you handle confidentiality of information shared during the program?
While we will keep all information within our support team, we cannot guarantee complete confidentiality of information leaking to the outside world. Speakers are made aware of the academic context.

How does HPI deal with intellectual property created during the course?
We do not anticipate any intellectual property created as a direct result of our program. Furthermore, HPI does not consider use of office space and infrastructure as constituting a significant use of HPI resources with regards to IP.

I am an external (non-HPI) student. Can I apply?
Yes! We offer a few places for non-HPI students. Please send your certificate of study, a current CV, and 3–5 sentences of motivation to program(at)hpi.de. Participants who do not require ECTS can apply by mail without the enrolment certificate.

What are the ELIAS-affiliated spots and what do they cover?
20 spots are reserved for ELIAS and ELLIS network participants. For these participants, travel and accommodation expenses are covered. Apply via the registration form and indicate your ELIAS/ELLIS affiliation.

What is the teaching format?
A block seminar combining practical classes, panel discussions, fireside chats, and reflection sessions. Learning happens through three dimensions: knowledge (business & project management), experience (first-hand learning from real CTOs), and networking (connecting with fellow students and field experts).

Reading
Literature

📘 Beasly, John — The Modern CTO
📘 Petrikhin, A. (2017) — Specifics and core functions of the CTO position and "Hidden CTOs" in the technology management processes. Dissertation, Steinbeis University of Berlin.
📘 Devine, Rorie — The CTO | CIO Bible: The Mission, Objectives, Strategies and Tactics Needed to Be a Super Successful CTO | CIO
📘 Ries, Eric — The Lean Startup

📅 Deadline: 28.08.2026
Apply Now →

Program Details
FormatBlock seminar
Duration4 days
ECTS3 ECTS
Max. students75
ELIAS funded20 spots
FeeFree
LanguageEnglish

Contact Person

TR

Dr. Tristan Ricken
Program Manager
Tristan.Ricken@hpi.de

Organiser

HPI Engine · ELIAS
Hasso Plattner Institut
August-Bebel-Str. 88
14482 Potsdam, Germany
engine.hpi.de →
·
elias-ai.eu →

Registration
Ready to Join?
Registration Deadline: 28.08.2026

1
HPI students register via CAS (the standard HPI registration system).

2
Non-HPI students: send your certificate of study, CV and a motivational letter (3–5 sentences) to program@engine.hpi.de

3
No ECTS required? Apply by mail to program@engine.hpi.de without the enrolment certificate.

⭐
ELIAS / ELLIS Affiliated Students: We offer 20 spots for participants from the ELLIS and ELIAS network, with travel and accommodation covered. Apply via the form and indicate your affiliation.

Apply Now →
HPI Engine Page ↗

All Hands Meeting of the German AI Centers & ELIAS Alliance FROntier AI Summit
2026-10-07 08:00 - 2026-10-08 17:00
Event overview
Two networks, one agenda for European AI

The Tübingen AI Center is pleased to host this year's All Hands Meeting of the six
German AI Excellence Centers. For 2026, the meeting runs jointly with the
ELIAS Alliance FROntier AI Summit, creating a single, larger gathering for the
European AI research community.

The host, Tübingen AI Center, is a hub for "European AI with purpose," carried by the
Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen in close cooperation with the
Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems.

01Network of the German AI Excellence Centers
02ELIAS Alliance — European Leadership in Innovation with AI and Science

Agenda & schedule are in development. Sessions, speakers and the full programme will be announced closer to the event.
Official event site →

Open calls
Contribute to the summit

Call for proposals
Workshops & Tutorials

Propose a 1.5-hour workshop or tutorial on emerging research directions, open problems, or novel
methodologies in frontier AI — agentic self-improving systems, world models, long-horizon reasoning,
multi-modality, safe and causal AI, and applications across education, science, administration,
open-source work, and social impact.

SlotThu 8 Oct, 09:00–10:30
CapacityUp to 8 in parallel
FormatIn-person only
Proposal lengthMax 2 pages

10 June 2026Applications open
20 July 2026, EODSubmission deadline
31 July 2026Notification of acceptance

Full call details →
Email submission

Award ceremony at this summit
Call for nominations
ELIAS Alliance FROntier AI Award

Nominate outstanding leaders of Focused Research Organisations — startups, nonprofits, open-source
consortia — advancing frontier AI for real-world impact. The award recognises individuals who bridge
academic research and value creation, judged on impact, innovation, integrity, and leadership.

Submission deadline31 Aug 2026
AnnouncementAt this Summit, Stuttgart
Submission length1 page + materials

The inaugural award went to Max Welling for founding Cusp AI, presented at the AI Summit AIS25 in
Copenhagen.

Nomination process →

Practical information
Plan your visit

Dates
7–8 October 2026

Two-day programme, Wed–Thu

Venue
Messe Stuttgart

Messepiazza 1, 70629 Stuttgart, Germany

Organiser
Tübingen AI Center

tuebingen.ai →

Event website
ahm.tuebingen.ai

Registration & travel →

Agenda
In development

Programme details to follow

Networks
German AI Centers + ELIAS

Joint summit, single registration

Questions
Don't hesitate to reach out before the summit.

Event inquiries
ahm@tuebingen.ai

General inquiries
info@tuebingen.ai

Visit event website →

Theme Development Workshop on AI for a Sustainable Society
2026-11-26 09:00 - 13:00 | Politecnico di Milano, Via Ponzio 34/5, Milan, Italy
Date & Time: November 26th, 2026, 09:00 – 12:00
Location: Politecnico di Milano, Via Ponzio 34/5, Milan, Italy (Hybrid Event)
Overview:
The next ELIAS Theme Development Workshop (TDW) — AI for a Sustainable Society will take place on Thursday, 26 November 2026, at Politecnico di Milano in Milan, co-hosted with the Italian ELLIS Pre-NeurIPS Fest. The workshop will bring together the ELIAS, ELLIS, and EU project communities to explore AI’s role in addressing societal and environmental challenges, identify emerging research directions, and foster new collaborations. The day will include the ELIAS TDW, the Italian ELLIS Pre-NeurIPS Fest, and a poster session with aperitivo. Further details on speakers and the programme will follow—save the date!

Details
Topic: AI for a Sustainable Society
Date: Thursday, November 26th, 2026
Time: 09:00 – 13:00 CET
Format: Hybrid Event
Co-hosted with: Italian ELLIS Pre-NeurIPS Fest

Venue
Location:
Politecnico di Milano
Via Ponzio 34/5
Milan, Italy
