2nd International Summer School on Artificial Intelligence of the Franco-Moroccan Research Center 2026

In a context of accelerated digital transformation, artificial intelligence has emerged as a strategic lever for addressing major societal, economic, and environmental challenges. Morocco, actively engaged in launching large-scale AI initiatives and strengthening its innovation ecosystem, provides a particularly relevant setting to reflect on the development of inclusive, responsible, and context-aware artificial intelligence, grounded in both local and global socio-technical realities.

The second International Summer School on Artificial Intelligence of the Franco-Moroccan Research Center 2026, aims to train a new generation of researchers, engineers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs capable of designing, deploying, and governing AI systems with high societal impact, while explicitly accounting for the complex interactions between technologies, institutions, cultures, and real-world practices.
Organized as its second edition, the summer school builds on the success of the 2025 edition entitled “Franco-Moroccan Summer School 2025: Sustainable AI for Accessible Healthcare”, held from July 7 to July 11, 2025, and organized by Sorbonne University (Paris, France).

This initiative is conducted within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding for the creation of a Franco-Moroccan Research Center, signed in Rabat in October 2024 under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, and Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic.
 This Memorandum brings together Mohammed V University of Rabat, University of Lorraine (Nancy), University of Franche-Comté (Besançon), Sorbonne University (Paris), CNRS, International University of Rabat, and Ibn Tofail University (Kenitra).

Building on this structured academic cooperation between Morocco and France, the summer school seeks to contribute to the emergence of shared scientific, ethical, and methodological frameworks, supporting the development of inclusive, responsible, and trustworthy AI systems adapted to both global and regional challenges.

Honorary chairs:

- Prof. Mohammed RHACHI, President of UM5R
- Prof. Amine BERQIA, Director of ENSIAS, UM5R
- Prof. Zakaria BOUDHIM, Dean of FLSHR, UM5R
- Prof. Omar HNICHE, Dean of FSJES-SOUISSI, UM5R

Steering committee :

- Prof. Mohamed CHETOUANI, SU, France
- Prof. Fabrice KORDON, SU, France
- Prof. Mohamed BOUTAYEB, LU, France
- Prof. Jamal DAAFOUZ, LU, France
- Prof. Kamel SMAILI, LU, France
- Prof. Abdelaziz BENJOUAD, UIR, Morocco
- Prof. Ouassim KARRAKCHOU, UIR, Morocco
- Prof. Karim BAÏNA, UIR | UM5R, Morocco
- Prof. Ihsane HMAMOUCHI, UIR, Morocco
- Prof. Salah BAÏNA, UM5R, Morocco
- Prof. Mohammed EL HASSOUNI, UM5R, Morocco
- Prof. Youssef GAHI, UIT, Morocco

Co-chairs :

- Prof. Karim BAINA, Dean of ESIN, UIR | ENSIAS, UM5R
- Prof. Salah BAINA, ENSIAS, UM5R
- Prof. Mohammed EL HASSOUNI, FLSHR, UM5R

Organization Committee :

- Maha BOUSRIJ
- Wissal CHAER

PhD Candidates Selection Process & Tentative Dates:

- Application Submission : April 20 May 1, 2026
- Selection Process: Saturday, May 2 to Sunday, June 14, 2026
- Notification of Acceptance: Monday, June 15, 2026

Participation expression of interest link

List of confirmed Speakers (in progress) :

• Prof. Luc De Brabandere, BCG | cartoonbase.com, Belgium
• Prof. Mohamed Chetouani, Sorbonne U., France
• Prof. Mohamed Boutayeb, Lorraine U., France
• Prof. Kamel Ismaïli, Lorraine U., France
• Dr. Ayoub Farkane, Lorraine U., France | UIR, Morocco
• Prof. Houda Benbrahim, ENSIAS, UM5R, Morocco   
• Dr. Mohamed Imam, Fac. of Eng., U. of Waterloo / LoopX Canada | ENSIAS, UM5R, Morocco
• Prof. Mohamed Bendahan, FLSHR, UM5R, Morocco
• Prof. A. Drissi El Maliani, FSR, UM5R, Morocco
• Prof. Dounia Lotfi, FSR, UM5R, Morocco
• Prof. Hakim Hafidi, UIR, Morocco
• Prof. Ouassim Karrakchou, UIR, Morocco
• Prof. Ibrahim Rahhal, UIR, Morocco
• Prof. Youssef Gahi, UIT, Morocco
• Prof. Jihane Gharib, ENSAK, UIT, Morocco
• Prof. Aniss Moumen, ENSAK, UIT, Morocco
• Prof. Mohammed Khalil, FSTM, UH2C, Morocco
• Prof. El Habib Ben Lahmar, FSBM, UH2C, Morocco