4th School on Data Science and Machine Learning

The 4th School on Data Science and Machine Learning invites ambitious researchers ready to harness the transformative power of advanced artificial intelligence. Building on our successful four-year legacy, this year’s program features state-of-the-art topics reflecting the rapid evolution of AI in 2025. Machine Learning is revolutionizing every sector of society — from breakthrough medical diagnostics to intelligent systems supporting vulnerable populations to innovative public safety solutions. These advancements aren’t just technological achievements; they are catalysts for new public policies and social frameworks. In this context, equipping researchers with advanced ML knowledge is crucial for the field’s continued development and responsible application.

Target Audience and Learning Approach
Our program is tailored for advanced PhD candidates finalizing research, early-career postdoctoral researchers, professionals seeking to integrate cutting-edge AI into their work, and researchers from diverse backgrounds looking to apply AI to their disciplines. We have designed a balanced learning approach with morning theoretical sessions paired with afternoon hands-on practical exercises that bridge theory and application.

What Makes This School Unique
Our forward-looking curriculum covers foundation models, advanced generative AI, efficient scaling, and frontier applications. We proudly feature leading Brazilian AI researchers alongside international pioneers, creating a rich environment for knowledge exchange. Participants will not just learn algorithms — they will develop critical thinking around AI applications, ethical considerations, and domain-specific implementations.

Networking and Peer Learning
To foster collaboration and peer learning, all participants are required to bring a research poster to be presented during coffee breaks and lunch intervals. This is an opportunity to showcase your work, receive feedback, and engage in meaningful discussions with fellow participants and instructors. The poster should include a concise description of your current research. If machine learning is already part of your work, the poster should explain how it is being used and, if available, present preliminary or final results. These sessions are designed to spark new collaborations and provide insights that can directly benefit your research.

Recommended background

• Early-career researchers (e.g., PhD students, postdocs, or final-year Master’s students)
• Fields: natural sciences, engineering, computer science, mathematics, social sciences, or humanities with interest in AI/ML
• Basic programming knowledge in Python
• Familiarity basic statistics
• No prior machine learning experience required, but interest and motivation are essential
• Proficiency in English (school will be held in English)

There is no registration fee and limited funds are available for travel and local expenses.

Click HERE for online application

Application deadline: September 16, 2025 

Lecturers

TBA

Click HERE for online application

Application deadline: September 16, 2025 

Sunday: Toolbox Kickoff

Morning:

• 10:00-10:30: Registration and Welcome breakfast
• 10:30-12:30: Pandas – Data Wrangling 101

Afternoon:

• 2:00-3:30: Matplotlib – Data Visualization
• 3:30-4:00: Coffee break
• 4:00-5:30: PyTorch – Tensors & Computation

Monday: Foundations of Neural Networks

Morning:

• 9:00-09:30: Welcome and introduction to the school
• 9:30-10:30: Statistical Methods for Data Analysis I
• 10:30-11:00: Coffee break
• 11:00-12:30: Statistical Methods for Data Analysis II

Afternoon:

• 2:00-3:30: Neural Networks 101: Historical development and basic concepts
• 3:30-4:00: Coffee break
• 4:00-5:30: The Perceptron: Building blocks of neural networks (intuitive, visual approach)
• 5:30-6:30: Interactive session: Building a simple perceptron using visual tools (no coding)

Tuesday: Going Deeper with Neural Networks

Morning:

• 9:00-10:30: From Single to Multi-Layer Networks
• 10:30-11:00: Coffee break
• 11:00-12:30: Backpropagation Explained

Afternoon:

• 2:00-3:30: Activation functions and network training
• 3:30-4:00: Coffee break
• 4:00-5:30: Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) I: Understanding images
• 5:30-6:30: Interactive session: Demo of CNN in Action

Wednesday: Specialized Architectures

Morning:

• 9:00-10:30: Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) II: Understanding images
• 10:30-11:00: Coffee break
• 11:00-12:30: Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs): Processing sequences and time series

Afternoon:

• 2:00-3:30: Transformers: The architecture behind modern AI
• 3:30-4:00: Coffee break
• 4:00-5:30: Large Language Models and generative AI: Concepts and implications
• 5:30-6:30: Interactive session: Demo of LLM

Thursday: Applications and Domain-Specific Uses

Morning:

• 9:00-10:30: AI in natural sciences (physics, biology, chemistry)
• 10:30-11:00: Coffee break
• 11:00-12:30: AI for the Climate Emergency

Afternoon:

2:00-3:30: AI in humanities and social sciences
3:30-4:00: Coffee break
4:00-5:30: The Role of HPC in AI
5:30-6:30: Interactive session: Demo of Distributed Learning

Friday: Frontiers and Future Directions

Morning:

• 9:00-10:30: Foundation Models
• 10:30-11:00: Coffee break
• 11:00-12:30: Physics-enhanced Machine Learning

Afternoon:

• 2:00-3:30: Explainable AI
• 3:30-4:00: Coffee break
• 4:00-6:00: Panel discussion: “Ethics in AI”

 The schedule might be changed.

Attention! Some participants in ICTP-SAIFR activities have received email from fake travel agencies asking for credit card information. All communication with participants will be made by ICTP-SAIFR staff using an e-mail “@ictp-saifr.org”. We will not send any mailings about accommodation that require a credit card number or any sort of deposit. Also, if you are staying at Hotel Intercity the Universe Paulista, please confirm with the Uber/Taxi driver that the hotel is located at Rua Pamplona 83 in Bela Vista (and not in Jardim Etelvina).

BOARDING PASS: All participants, whose travel has been provided or will be reimbursed by ICTP-SAIFR, should bring the boarding pass  upon registration. The return boarding pass (PDF, if online check-in, scan or picture, if physical) should be sent to secretary@ictp-saifr.org by e-mail.

Visa information: Nationals from several countries in Latin America and Europe are exempt from tourist visa. Nationals from Australia, Canada and USA will be required to obtain a tourist e-visa for visits after April 10, 2025. Please check here which nationals need a tourist visa to enter Brazil.

Accommodation: Participants whose accommodations are provided by ICTP-SAIFR will stay at Hotel Intercity the Universe Paulista. Other hotel recommendations are available here.

Poster presentation: Participants who are presenting a poster MUST BRING A PRINTED BANNER . The banner size should be at most 1 m (width) x 1,5 m (length). We do not accept A4 or A3 paper.