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Call for papers: Advancing research on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

Gary Lloyd | Sep 23,26 | 01:38 EST

Technology

Deadline: 30 October 2026 UNESCO and the AI and Society Institute at École normale supérieure (ENS-PSL), Paris, launch a call for papers inviting recent PhD graduates (within five years of graduation) to submit proposals presenting research on the ethics of artificial intelligence.

About the initiative Grounded in the UNESCO 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, this initiative seeks to promote emerging research, foster interdisciplinary exchange and strengthen connections between academic scholarship, public policy and practice. Authors of selected proposals will have the opportunity to present their research at a one-day academic event hosted by ENS in Paris on 10 December 2026. The event will bring together emerging scholars, established researchers and representatives of academic institutions for thematic discussions and expert feedback. Research topics Submissions may address, but are not limited to, the following areas: Multistakeholder and adaptive governance and collaboration; Fairness, accountability and transparency; Human rights and AI; Awareness and AI ethics literacy; Youth / mental health / health and ethics of AI; Social inclusion; Culture and knowledge systems; Environment, sustainability and climate action; Gender equality; Vulnerable or underrepresented groups; Ethical dimensions of AI in public policy, research and innovation; AI ethics and the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals; Ethics of AI and STEM and basic sciences; and Ethics of AI and frontier technologies. Eligibility The call is open to researchers who have completed a PhD within the past 5 years and whose work addresses issues related to the ethics of artificial intelligence. Applications are welcomed from all relevant disciplines and geographic regions. Interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral perspectives are particularly encouraged. Theoretical, empirical, comparative, interdisciplinary and practice-oriented contributions are welcome. Co-authored proposals may be submitted, provided that both authors meet the eligibility requirements. Submission guidelines Applicants are invited to submit an extended abstract of 800–1,000 words, excluding references. The abstract should include the following elements: Title of the proposed paper; Research question and its relevance to the call; Conceptual or theoretical framework; Methodology, where applicable; Principal findings or argument; Paper’s contribution to research on the ethics of AI; Three to five keywords. The submission must also include a separate author information page containing: Full name; Institutional affiliation; Country; Email address; Title, institution and year of PhD completion; A short biography of no more than 150 words. Submissions must be written in English and provided in Word or PDF format. To facilitate the review process, the extended abstract should not contain the author’s name or other identifying information. Selection Proposals will be reviewed by the laureates and jury members of the UNESCO Beruniy Prize for Scientific Research on the Ethics of AI. Successful applicants will be notified by 15 November 2026 and invited to submit a full paper of approximately 5,000–7,000 words by 1st December 2026. Travel support will be offered to one of the selected authors to attend the academic event in Paris, alongside the distinguished members of the UNESCO Beruniy Prize International Jury and Laureates who serve as members of the Selection Committee. The author receiving this support will be identified following the selection process. Academic event Selected authors will present their papers during thematic sessions at a one-day, in-person event in Paris, France. The general participation to this event is open to everyone. Registration will be available on UNESCO’s website. The programme will include expert talks or fireside conversations, presentations of selected research and moderated discussions, as well as interactive “AI ethics labs” to examine concrete research dilemmas, methodological questions and policy challenges. Publication and dissemination Following the event, UNESCO and the AI and Society Institute will produce the proceedings, bringing together the contributions and key discussions from the event. In addition, selected authors will be invited to adapt their research for publication in the Tribune of the Conseil de l’intelligence artificielle et du numérique (CIANum), providing an opportunity to bring emerging research on the Ethics of AI to a broader public and policy audience. More information This section provides links to related information, including the UNESCO-Uzbekistan Beruniy Prize and the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.

About the initiative

Grounded in the UNESCO 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, this initiative seeks to promote emerging research, foster interdisciplinary exchange and strengthen connections between academic scholarship, public policy and practice. Authors of selected proposals will have the opportunity to present their research at a one-day academic event hosted by ENS in Paris on 10 December 2026. The event will bring together emerging scholars, established researchers and representatives of academic institutions for thematic discussions and expert feedback.

Research topics

Submissions may address, but are not limited to, the following areas: Multistakeholder and adaptive governance and collaboration; Fairness, accountability and transparency; Human rights and AI; Awareness and AI ethics literacy; Youth / mental health / health and ethics of AI; Social inclusion; Culture and knowledge systems; Environment, sustainability and climate action; Gender equality; Vulnerable or underrepresented groups; Ethical dimensions of AI in public policy, research and innovation; AI ethics and the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals; Ethics of AI and STEM and basic sciences; and Ethics of AI and frontier technologies.

Eligibility

The call is open to researchers who have completed a PhD within the past 5 years and whose work addresses issues related to the ethics of artificial intelligence. Applications are welcomed from all relevant disciplines and geographic regions. Interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral perspectives are particularly encouraged. Theoretical, empirical, comparative, interdisciplinary and practice-oriented contributions are welcome. Co-authored proposals may be submitted, provided that both authors meet the eligibility requirements.

Submission guidelines

Applicants are invited to submit an extended abstract of 800–1,000 words, excluding references. The abstract should include the following elements: Title of the proposed paper; Research question and its relevance to the call; Conceptual or theoretical framework; Methodology, where applicable; Principal findings or argument; Paper’s contribution to research on the ethics of AI; Three to five keywords. The submission must also include a separate author information page containing: Full name; Institutional affiliation; Country; Email address; Title, institution and year of PhD completion; A short biography of no more than 150 words. Submissions must be written in English and provided in Word or PDF format. To facilitate the review process, the extended abstract should not contain the author’s name or other identifying information.

Selection

Proposals will be reviewed by the laureates and jury members of the UNESCO Beruniy Prize for Scientific Research on the Ethics of AI. Successful applicants will be notified by 15 November 2026 and invited to submit a full paper of approximately 5,000–7,000 words by 1st December 2026. Travel support will be offered to one of the selected authors to attend the academic event in Paris, alongside the distinguished members of the UNESCO Beruniy Prize International Jury and Laureates who serve as members of the Selection Committee. The author receiving this support will be identified following the selection process.

Academic event

Selected authors will present their papers during thematic sessions at a one-day, in-person event in Paris, France. The general participation to this event is open to everyone. Registration will be available on UNESCO’s website. The programme will include expert talks or fireside conversations, presentations of selected research and moderated discussions, as well as interactive “AI ethics labs” to examine concrete research dilemmas, methodological questions and policy challenges.

Publication and dissemination

Following the event, UNESCO and the AI and Society Institute will produce the proceedings, bringing together the contributions and key discussions from the event. In addition, selected authors will be invited to adapt their research for publication in the Tribune of the Conseil de l’intelligence artificielle et du numérique (CIANum), providing an opportunity to bring emerging research on the Ethics of AI to a broader public and policy audience.

More information

This section provides links to related information, including the UNESCO-Uzbekistan Beruniy Prize and the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.