Climate Change AI Summer School 2023

The Climate Change AI summer school is designed to educate and prepare participants with a background in artificial intelligence (AI) and/or a background in a climate change-related field to tackle major climate problems using AI. The summer school aims to bring together a multidisciplinary group of participants and facilitate project-based team work to strengthen collaborations between different fields and foster networking in this space.

We are excited to host the second Climate Change AI Summer School in 2023! This year, the summer school consists of two independent components: an open-to-all virtual program (held between June-August 2023) and a selective in-person program (from August 14-18, 2023 in Montreal, Canada). Courses will be conducted by members of Climate Change AI and world-renowned experts in AI and climate change.

Registration and applications are now open (more info below). Note that all applicants to the in-person program will automatically be registered for the virtual program as well.

Dates and Application Info

The summer school will be held in two independent parts: an open-to-all virtual program and a selective in-person program. Dates and application info are below.

Virtual Program

In-Person Program

Summer School Structure

I. Virtual Program

The virtual program will provide an overview of how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can be used to address climate change. Through lectures and tutorials, participants will learn how AI/ML are employed across different climate-relevant fields/sectors, discuss important considerations for framing/scoping problems, and gain hands-on practice applying AI/ML to climate-relevant problems.

Modules will be presented at varying levels of technical depth. For some of the modules, substantial knowledge about AI/ML, Python programming, or both is assumed. For other modules, only minimal prerequisite knowledge about AI/ML, Python programming, or both is assumed. Individual module prerequisites will be made clear prior to the summer school and self-study materials will be sent before the summer school to help participants acquire the background necessary for some of the modules.

The virtual program will be free to attend and open to all registered participants who are at least 18 years of age. The virtual program will be held sometime between June and August - the exact dates and times will be announced before the end of May 2023.

Register early to receive updates about the virtual program. Directions about how to attend the virtual program will be shared with the registered email address before the start of the program.

Everyone who registers for the virtual program will be able to attend. The requested information in the form will help us better tailor the program.

You can register for the virtual program here: https://www.climatechange.ai/summer_school_virtual

II. In-Person program

In this edition we will also be hosting a small (< 50 person) in-person program for one week from August 14, 2023 to August 18, 2023 at Mila - Quebec AI Institute in Montreal, Canada. The schedule of the program is TBD but will be held between 9am and 5pm ET each day.

The goal of the in-person program is to foster connections between participants to do impactful work at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) / machine learning (ML) and climate change both now and in the future. The in-person program will give participants the opportunity to work on collaborative projects together in multi-disciplinary teams. The program will also have social activities to help build connections between participants.

We welcome applications from students, researchers, engineers, practitioners, and others in the public and private sectors who are interested in using AI/ML to address problems in climate change mitigation, adaptation, or climate science. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

Admission to the in-person program will be based on a selection process. Accepted applicants will have the opportunity to apply for financial assistance to cover some of the costs to attend the summer school (like lodging, food, travel). Before accepted participants need to confirm their attendance, we will let them know which costs will be covered for everyone and we will also let accepted participants know if they have been awarded financial aid.

The deadline to apply for the in-person program is January 31, 2023 23:59 AoE (Anywhere on Earth). Accepted applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the virtual program.

You can apply to the in-person program here: https://www.climatechange.ai/summer_school_inperson

Your response to this form will be editable until the submission deadline. Please note that applications that are missing required information such as a CV at the application deadline will not be considered.

Sponsors

Organizers

On behalf of Climate Change AI:
Amanda Sessim Parisenti (Council of Europe)
Daniel Spokoyny (CMU)
Erick Kapp (Climate Change AI)
Hari Prasanna Das (UC Berkeley)
Jeremy Irvin (Stanford)
Maria João Sousa (IST, ULisboa)
Olivia Mendivil Ramos (OneThree Biotech)
Priya L. Donti (Climate Change AI)

Frequently Asked Questions

Virtual Summer School FAQs

Q: Is the virtual program free to attend?
A: Yes!

Q: What is the age requirement for the virtual program?
A: All participants must be at least 18 years of age.

Q: How do I access the virtual program?
A: We will send participation information to the email you registered with.

Q: Will there be recordings?
A: We will aim to record and publish the content online after the summer school.

Q: What topics will be covered in the virtual program?
A: The virtual program will provide an overview of how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can be used to address climate change. Through lectures and tutorials, participants will learn how AI/ML are employed across different climate-relevant fields/sectors, discuss important considerations for framing/scoping problems, and gain hands-on practice applying AI/ML to climate-relevant problems.

Q: Are there prerequisites for the virtual program?
A: Modules will be presented at varying levels of technical depth. For some of the modules, substantial knowledge about AI/ML, Python programming, or both is assumed. For other modules, only minimal prerequisite knowledge about AI/ML, Python programming, or both is assumed. Individual module prerequisites will be made clear prior to the summer school.

Q: Will self-study materials be provided to help me obtain prerequisite knowledge for the virtual program?
A: Yes we will aim to provide them when we release the full schedule.

Q: When will the exact schedule be posted?
A: We will aim to post the schedule in May 2023.

Q: What is the deadline for registering?
A: The deadline is TBD. We will announce the deadline in advance.

Q: My question isn’t answered above. What should I do?
A: If you have a question not answered in the FAQs, please email summerschool+virtual@climatechange.ai. Due to the large number of inquiries, we may not be able to reply to all emails.

In-Person Summer School FAQs

Q: What is the date and location of the in-person program?
A: August 14-18, 2023 at Mila - Quebec AI Institute in Montreal, Canada.

Q: Who is eligible to apply for the in-person program?
A: Anyone over 18 years of age is eligible to apply.

Q: What is the application deadline for the in-person program?
A: The deadline to apply is January 31, 2023 23:59 AoE (Anywhere on Earth).

Q: Is there an application fee for the in-person program?
A: No! All applicants who fill out the application form will be considered.

Q: Will food, lodging, travel, and/or visa application costs be covered for accepted applicants?
A: Accepted applicants will have the opportunity to apply for financial assistance to cover some of the costs to attend the summer school. Before accepted participants need to confirm their attendance, we will let them know which costs will be covered for everyone and we will also let accepted participants know if they have been awarded financial aid.

Q: What will the schedule of the in-person program be like?
A: The in-person program will give participants the opportunity to work on collaborative projects together in multi-disciplinary teams. The program will also have social activities to help build connections between participants.

Q: Will there be opportunities for networking and collaboration at the in-person program?
A: Yes absolutely!

Q: What is the relationship between the virtual and in-person programs?
A: All applicants to the in-person program will automatically be registered for the virtual program as well.

Q: My question isn’t answered above. What should I do?
A: If you have a question not answered in the FAQs, please email summerschool+inperson@climatechange.ai. Due to the large number of inquiries, we may not be able to reply to all emails.