EVENT

MANOLO Summer School 2026

International Hellenic University (IHU), Thessaloniki, Greece

This August, the MANOLO Summer School 2026 will bring together the next generation of AI researchers, innovators and practitioners in Thessaloniki, Greece, for three days of learning, collaboration and hands-on experimentation.

Participation is free (registration required), making it an excellent opportunity to gain valuable knowledge, practical experience and new connections within Europe's AI community.

Taking place from 26-28 August 2026 at the International Hellenic University (IHU), the Summer School is one of MANOLO's flagship educational and stakeholder engagement initiatives. It has been designed to equip participants with the knowledge, practical skills and connections needed to contribute to the development of trustworthy, efficient and sustainable Artificial Intelligence.

As AI continues to transform research, industry and society, there is an increasing need for solutions that are not only powerful but also transparent, reliable, and energy efficient. The MANOLO Summer School provides a unique opportunity to explore these challenges alongside leading researchers, industry experts and members of the European AI ecosystem.

Throughout the programme, participants will:

  • Gain insights into the latest advances in trustworthy and sustainable AI.
  • Discover the technologies, methodologies, and results developed within the MANOLO project.
  • Take part in interactive workshops and Innovation Lab sessions designed around real-world AI challenges.
  • Exchange ideas with researchers, innovators, and industry representatives from across Europe.
  • Build lasting connections within an international community committed to shaping the future of AI.

The Summer School is primarily aimed at master’s students, PhD candidates and early-career researchers, while also welcoming AI practitioners, innovation professionals, technical experts and members of related European initiatives interested in advancing responsible AI.

Beyond the programme itself, participants will have the opportunity to experience Thessaloniki- Greece's vibrant second city, renowned for its dynamic academic community, thriving innovation ecosystem and rich cultural heritage.  
Hosting the Summer School at the International Hellenic University provides the perfect setting to learn, exchange ideas and build new collaborations in an inspiring international environment.

Agenda

Day 1

08:15 AMTransport to the Venue. Meeting point: The White Tower
09:15 AMRegistration & Coffee
09:45 AMWelcome & Opening Remarks
10:15 AMKEYNOTE
11:00 AMCoffee Break
11:30 AMFoundations of Trustworthy AI
Speaker: MAGNUS WESTERLUND - Principal Lecturer (Arcada University of Applied Science)
12:00 AMLegal implications of Trustworthy AI
Speakers: NAYA PAPAGEORGIOU - Associate Researcher & VLADIMIR APRAXINE - Junior Research Associate (KU Leuven)
12:30 PMCan You Trust the Explanation? A Guided Tour of Explainable AI
Speaker: PANOS ZAZOS - Data Scientist (Four Dot Infinity)
13:00 PMLUNCH BREAK
14:00 PMFoundations of Efficient AI
Speaker: CRISTIAN BOSCH SERRANO - Date Science Architect (CeADAR)
14:30 PMNAS and Neuromorphic
Speaker: LEONIDAS RICHTER - Research Scientist (Fraunhofer IIS)
15:00 PMCloud-edge Continium Resource Optimization
Speaker: JORDI GARCIA - Associate Professor (UPC Barcelona Tech)
15:30 PMCoffee Break
16:00 PMPanel discussion on the Future of Trustworthy & Efficient AI
16:30 PMClosing Day 1 & Outlook
16:45 PMTransport to City Centre

Day 2

08:45 AMTransport to the Venue. Meeting point: The White Tower
09:45 AMMANOLO Overview
Speaker: Ricardo Simon Carbajo - Director of Innovation & Development (CeADAR)
10:15 AMFrugal AI: Neural Network Growth
Speakers: STELLA DOUKA - AI Researcher; THEO RUDKIEWICZ - Researcher (INRIA)
11:15 AMCoffee Break
12:00 PMData Quality and Provenance
Speaker: STASINOS Konstantopoulos - Research Associate (Demokritos)
12:30 PMEfficient and Trustworthy AI in Use Cases: Robotics, Medical IoT and Mobile Applications - Part 1
Speakers: TBC - (PAL Robotics); MARIA SIERRA Data Science Engineer (BitBrain)
13:00 PMLUNCH BREAK
14:00 PMEfficient and Trustworthy AI in Use Cases: Robotics, Medical IoT and Mobile Applications - Part 2
Speaker: PANTELIS Kaplanoglou - Chief AI Officer (ARX.NET)
14:30 PMMANOLO Validation Plan
Speaker: SARI SARLIO-SIINTOLA (LAUREA)
14:45 PMIntroduction to Innovation Lab
15:15 PMTeam Formation
15:45 PMClosing Day 1 & Outlook
16:00 PMTransport to City Centre
Free Time to relax, explore the city or the beaches
20:00 PMNetworking Reception

Day 3

08:45 AMTransport to the Venue. Meeting point: The White Tower
09:45 AMIntroduction to the Innovation Lab - the Challenge
Speakers: Cristian BOSCH SERRANO / Ricardo SIMON CARBAJO(CeADAR)
10:15 AMInnovation Lab: Team Work I
11:15 AMCoffee Break
12:00 PMInnovation Lab: Team Work II
13:00 PMLunch Break
14:00 PMInnovation Lab: Show what you did! (Group Presentations + Feedback + Scoring)
16:00 PMEvent Closing
16:15 PMTransport to City Centre

Event Details

  • Date
    26 - 28 August 2026
  • Location
    International Hellenic University (IHU), Thessaloniki, Greece
  • Cost
    Participation is free (registration required)

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Initiated by the EIT