Overview of previous editions of the UB School of Economics Summer School: 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025

Nowadays, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence are reshaping economic research, policy evaluation, and business decision-making. Yet many economists use these tools as “black boxes,” often unaware of their assumptions, limitations, and potential pitfalls.

This Summer School, hosted by the UB School of Economics in 2026, offers an accessible but rigorous introduction to ML and AI specifically tailored for economists.

Over five intensive days, participants will explore the foundations of machine learning, the logic behind modern AI models, and the ways in which these techniques can both illuminate and distort empirical insights when misapplied. Through hands-on sessions, real economic datasets, and critical discussions, the course equips attendees to understand what algorithms actually do, to deploy them responsibly, and to detect misleading or incorrect uses in academic papers, policy reports, and industry applications.

By the end of the programme, participants will be able to evaluate ML/AI methods with an economist’s eye for identification, causality, interpretability, fairness, and robustness. No prior experience with machine learning is required—only curiosity and a willingness to engage critically with new tools.

Academic Director: Montserrat Guillen (Universitat de Barcelona, National Research Award 2025) | Academic Coordinator: Juan S. Yañez (Universitat de Barcelona)

Lecturers

Provisional Course outline

• Day 1: Foundations

• Day 2: Core Methods

• Day 3: Causality Meets ML

• Day 4: AI & Large Models

• Day 5: Good Practice

This is a provisional course outline. A more detailed outline will be available soon.

The course includes:

• Theory and hands-on taught by 3-4 expert instructors

• Real-world applications using economic data

• Coverage of prediction, causal ML, interpretability, and modern AI models

• Discussion of ethical, methodological and policy issues

• A final capstone project with feedback from faculty

Applications

Applications will open in January 2026.

Register your interest now here to receive updates and full information about the Summer School.

Tuition Fees

General fee: 710€*

Student fee: 475€

*25% discount on the general fee for early career researchers (within five years of the award of their PhD).

Fees: Fees information will be confirmed soon.

Payments: Participants offered a place on the Summer School will receive an email with (i) the admission letter and (ii) the payment instructions. Payment of the tuition fees is required to secure a place once offered.

Cancellation policy: All cancellations must be received in writing and sent in advance by email. Participants wishing to withdraw from the Summer School will have their tuition fees partially refunded according to the following policy: Prior to 15 days before the beginning of the course: full refund of the registration fee, less €100 of administrative costs.

The University of Barcelona reserves the right to cancel the Summer School if the minimum number of required students is not reached.

Scholarships

Master and PhD students seeking financial aid may apply for one of the five student scholarships that will be available. Each scholarship covers the course tuition fees.

More information about the scholarships requirements and deadline will be available soon.

Tuition fees already paid by participants awarded with one of the scholarships will be reimbursed as soon as possible

Attendance Certificates

Summer School at the UB School of Economics is accredited in accordance with the European Credit Transfer System and will be recognized by the University of Barcelona as 2 ECTS credits.

ECTS – a common language for academic recognition: ECTS, the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, was developed by the European Commission in order to provide common procedures to guarantee academic recognition of studies abroad. It provides a way of measuring and comparing learning achievements and transferring them from one institution to another. This is achieved through the use of common ECTS credit units and a common ECTS grading scale.

Accomodation

Accomodation for a 5-night stay is available at UB Residence Montserrat-Penyafort. Admitted participants will be eligible to reserve a room on a first-come, first-served basis.

The price of a single room ranges from 64,46€/night to 85,45€/night (depending on the meal plan). Double rooms are subject to availability and must be confirmed directly with the Residence; prices range from 113,93€/night to 155,92€/night (depending on the meal plan).

The 5-night stay covers the nights from July 5 to July 9, 2026. Departure is scheduled for the morning of July 10, 2026. Extra nights are subject to availability.

Once you have been admitted and have confirmed your place by paying the course fee, you will receive the contact information required to arrange your room reservation directly with UB Residence Montserrat-Penyafort.

The residence is located within a 10-minute walk from the campus and is also well connected by public transport.

Important Information: 

• Payment for accommodation is not included in the course fee and must be made directly to the residence.

• Cancellation and payment conditions will be confirmed directly by the residence, which is responsible for managing all room bookings.

UB Residence Montserrat-Penyafort