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 AM | Transport to the Venue. Meeting point: The White Tower |
| 09:15 AM | Registration & Coffee |
| 09:45 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks |
| 10:15 AM | KEYNOTE |
| 11:00 AM | Coffee Break |
| 11:30 AM | Foundations of Trustworthy AI Speaker: MAGNUS WESTERLUND - Principal Lecturer (Arcada University of Applied Science) |
| 12:00 AM | Legal implications of Trustworthy AI Speakers: NAYA PAPAGEORGIOU - Associate Researcher & VLADIMIR APRAXINE - Junior Research Associate (KU Leuven) |
| 12:30 PM | Can You Trust the Explanation? A Guided Tour of Explainable AI Speaker: PANOS ZAZOS - Data Scientist (Four Dot Infinity) |
| 13:00 PM | LUNCH BREAK |
| 14:00 PM | Foundations of Efficient AI Speaker: CRISTIAN BOSCH SERRANO - Date Science Architect (CeADAR) |
| 14:30 PM | NAS and Neuromorphic Speaker: LEONIDAS RICHTER - Research Scientist (Fraunhofer IIS) |
| 15:00 PM | Cloud-edge Continium Resource Optimization Speaker: JORDI GARCIA - Associate Professor (UPC Barcelona Tech) |
| 15:30 PM | Coffee Break |
| 16:00 PM | Panel discussion on the Future of Trustworthy & Efficient AI |
| 16:30 PM | Closing Day 1 & Outlook |
| 16:45 PM | Transport to City Centre |
Day 2
| 08:45 AM | Transport to the Venue. Meeting point: The White Tower |
| 09:45 AM | MANOLO Overview Speaker: Ricardo Simon Carbajo - Director of Innovation & Development (CeADAR) |
| 10:15 AM | Frugal AI: Neural Network Growth Speakers: STELLA DOUKA - AI Researcher; THEO RUDKIEWICZ - Researcher (INRIA) |
| 11:15 AM | Coffee Break |
| 12:00 PM | Data Quality and Provenance Speaker: STASINOS Konstantopoulos - Research Associate (Demokritos) |
| 12:30 PM | Efficient 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 PM | LUNCH BREAK |
| 14:00 PM | Efficient and Trustworthy AI in Use Cases: Robotics, Medical IoT and Mobile Applications - Part 2 Speaker: PANTELIS Kaplanoglou - Chief AI Officer (ARX.NET) |
| 14:30 PM | MANOLO Validation Plan Speaker: SARI SARLIO-SIINTOLA (LAUREA) |
| 14:45 PM | Introduction to Innovation Lab |
| 15:15 PM | Team Formation |
| 15:45 PM | Closing Day 1 & Outlook |
| 16:00 PM | Transport to City Centre Free Time to relax, explore the city or the beaches |
| 20:00 PM | Networking Reception |
Day 3
| 08:45 AM | Transport to the Venue. Meeting point: The White Tower |
| 09:45 AM | Introduction to the Innovation Lab - the Challenge Speakers: Cristian BOSCH SERRANO / Ricardo SIMON CARBAJO(CeADAR) |
| 10:15 AM | Innovation Lab: Team Work I |
| 11:15 AM | Coffee Break |
| 12:00 PM | Innovation Lab: Team Work II |
| 13:00 PM | Lunch Break |
| 14:00 PM | Innovation Lab: Show what you did! (Group Presentations + Feedback + Scoring) |
| 16:00 PM | Event Closing |
| 16:15 PM | Transport to City Centre |
Event Details
- Date
26 - 28 August 2026 - Location
International Hellenic University (IHU), Thessaloniki, Greece - Cost
Participation is free (registration required)
Partners
Registration