Collaborative Summer School of Artificial Intelligence and Society 2025

Open Science and AI: Shaping the Future of Responsible Research

As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the landscape of scientific discovery, the need for openness, transparency, and reproducibility in research has never been more urgent. The 2025 Berlin Summer School on Artificial Intelligence and Society, jointly organized by the Berlin Institute for the Foundations of Learning and Data (BIFOLD), the Weizenbaum Institute for the Networked Society, and Science of Intelligence (SCIoI), will focus on a timely and critical topic: “Open Science and AI – Shaping the Future of Responsible Research.”

Taking place from 15 to 18 September 2025, this year’s Summer School invites early-career researchers and advanced Master’s students to explore how open data, open collaboration, and responsible practices can help build more transparent, fair, and trustworthy AI systems.

Why Open Science Matters for AI

Generative AI and machine learning tools are accelerating the pace of scientific discovery—but they also raise pressing questions around reproducibility, bias, data transparency, and accessibility. The principles of Open Science—especially the FAIR guidelines (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable)—are essential for ensuring that research keeps pace with both technological advancement and societal values.

Open Science enables the free exchange of datasets, algorithms, and research insights. In doing so, it fosters global collaboration, promotes scientific integrity, and helps identify hidden biases in data and models. The 2025 Summer School will offer a comprehensive program aimed at equipping participants with the knowledge, tools, and ethical frameworks to embed openness and responsibility into the foundations of their research.

A Collaborative Effort Across Leading AI Institutions

The Summer School is a collaborative initiative between SCIoI, BIFOLD, and the Weizenbaum Institute, in partnership with the national network of Germany’s AI Centres of Excellence: DFKI, Lamarr, MCML, ScaDS.AI, and TUEAI. It brings together Berlin’s vibrant ecosystem of AI research and underscores the city’s role as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration and societal dialogue on the future of AI.

Each institution offers a unique perspective: BIFOLD focuses on cutting-edge research in AI and data management; the Weizenbaum Institute investigates digital transformation and its impact on society; and SCIoI explores the principles of intelligence from a cross-disciplinary angle. Together, they offer a rich learning environment for researchers tackling the ethical and methodological challenges of contemporary AI.

An Immersive Learning Experience

Spanning 3.5 days, the program features keynote speeches from leading experts across disciplines, in-depth sessions, hands-on workshops, and a curated excursion. Participants will gain both theoretical insights and practical skills in topics such as:

Implementing FAIR principles in AI workflows

Developing resilient and reproducible data infrastructures
Privacy and anonymization techniques in AI research
Citizen science and democratized approaches to AI
Strategies for identifying and mitigating bias in models and data

The Summer School strikes a balance between lecture-style learning, interactive formats, and informal exchanges. A thoughtfully planned excursion will provide participants with real-world context for the principles discussed, and numerous networking opportunities will help them build long-term academic and professional connections.

Empowering a New Generation of Responsible Researchers

As AI continues to influence research methodologies, institutional practices, and societal norms, fostering a culture of openness and accountability is vital. The 2025 Berlin Summer School empowers participants to navigate and actively shape this transformation.

By engaging with a diverse community of researchers, practitioners, and thought leaders, participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how openness in science can advance AI that is more inclusive, ethical, and effective. The Summer School reaffirms the idea that responsible innovation begins with responsible research.

For more information and registration please visit the official website.