{"id":271,"date":"2026-02-15T19:25:07","date_gmt":"2026-02-15T19:25:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deeplearningindaba.com\/2026\/?page_id=271"},"modified":"2026-04-17T19:07:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T19:07:11","slug":"workshops","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/deeplearningindaba.com\/2026\/workshops\/","title":{"rendered":"Workshops"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/span>

Workshops & Sessions<\/h1>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/section><\/div>

Open Call for Workshops & Sessions<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Submit Your Workshop Proposal for Indaba 2026<\/h1><\/div><\/div>
Submit<\/a><\/div><\/div>

The Deep Learning Indaba (DLI) is the annual gathering of Africa\u2019s machine learning (ML) and AI community, a celebration of learning, research, and collaboration dedicated to strengthening African AI. The 2026 Deep Learning Indaba will take place in Nigeria in August (exact location and dates will be announced soon). The Deep Learning Indaba (DLI) is the annual gathering of Africa\u2019s machine learning (ML) and AI community, a celebration of learning, research, and collaboration dedicated to strengthening African AI. The 2026 Deep Learning Indaba will take place in Nigeria in August.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

This year, we\u2019re expanding what that space can be. While academic-style workshops remain central, we recognize that ideas can also flourish in many other forms: through dialogue, creativity, and collective reflection. To nurture this spirit, we are introducing new session formats that invite imagination and inclusivity.<\/span><\/p>\n

We welcome proposals for diverse sessions: workshops, fireside conversations, interactive exhibitions, storytelling spaces, showcases, or any unique formats that move beyond lectures and panels<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s explore other unique formats, anchored on abundant African wisdom, lived experiences, and different backgrounds.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Together let\u2019s reimagine how we interact, share ideas, and discuss the African AI futures we wish to see.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Key Dates for Submission<\/h2><\/div><\/div>

Mark your calendars with these essential deadlines to ensure your submission is considered for review.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

February 10, 2026<\/h1><\/div><\/div>

Applications Open<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div>

February 26, 2026<\/h1><\/div><\/div>

Information session for prospective workshop organisers.<\/h1><\/div><\/div>
Register now<\/a><\/div>

We are adding an information session for the first time to provide the opportunity to answer questions you may have, resolve confusions or issues, and provide assistance as you shape your proposal.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

March 20, 2026<\/h1><\/div><\/div>

Deadline for proposal submission.<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div>

March 30, 2026<\/h1><\/div><\/div>

Acceptance notifications. <\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div>

August, 2026<\/h1><\/div><\/div>

Workshops Dates.<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Sessions Format<\/h2><\/div><\/div>

We invite proposals for workshops and other curated sessions to be held during the workshop days of Deep Learning Indaba 2026. We are expanding beyond the traditional \u201cworkshop\u201d structure. We invite proposals for a range of session formats designed to accommodate different types of content, audiences, and modes of engagement. The session formats include, but not limited to:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\uf0a9<\/span><\/span><\/div>

Half-day workshops (3 hours)<\/h4>

This is the conventional workshop style we know and love at the Indaba.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\uf0a9<\/span><\/span><\/div>

Forums and dialogues<\/h4>

Panel discussions, debates, community round tables, fishbowl dialogues, breakout-style discussions, or unconference-style sessions that encourage multi-perspective exchange across disciplines (e.g., researchers, policymakers, practitioners, advocates).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\uf0a9<\/span><\/span><\/div>

Showcases and interactive exhibitions<\/h4>

Sessions designed to showcase projects, tools, datasets, artistic exhibitions, or interactive demos. These may involve hands-on interaction, guided exploration, or immersive exhibits highlighting work being done on the African continent.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\uf0a9<\/span><\/span><\/div>

Deep-dive discussions<\/h4>

Examples include fireside chats with book authors, conversations with policymakers or practitioners, podcast-style sessions, book launches, or interview-style discussions focused on a single theme or body of work.<\/span>
<\/b>These may also include keynote-style talks, lightning talks, or curated talks focused on specific themes such as funding opportunities, research pathways, lab overviews, or topics targeting students or underrepresented communities.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\uf0a9<\/span><\/span><\/div>

Anything else you have in mind<\/h4>

An important part of what we are doing is creating space for engagement from different audiences, disciplines, and domains \u2014 including those who may not usually see themselves represented at the Indaba. For example, if you are working on topics such as AI-assisted surveillance and its impact on communities, and you previously felt that the Indaba was not a space for that kind of work, this is an invitation. If your work sits at the intersection of AI, society, policy, culture, or lived experience, and does not neatly fit into a standard \u201cworkshop\u201d format, we encourage you to propose a session and share it with the community.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The formats above are not exhaustive. Proposals are welcome to suggest other formats, provided they clearly describe the structure and goals of the session.<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Session Duration<\/h2><\/div><\/div>

While the types and formats of sessions we invite are intentionally open, we do place clear limits on how long sessions can be. Organisers are encouraged to think carefully about the sessions they propose and to choose a duration that is realistic for the kind of engagement they are designing.<\/span><\/p>\n

When proposing a session, please consider what can meaningfully be done within the time you are requesting, and how the structure of your session fits within that timeframe. You will be asked to indicate one of the following session length options in your application:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\uf0a9<\/span><\/span><\/div>

1 hour<\/h4>

This is suitable for short, focused sessions. For example, a specific discussion or deep-dive, a fireside or interview-style conversation, a focused talk on a particular theme not covered elsewhere in the Indaba, or a small showcase or interactive exhibition.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\uf0a9<\/span><\/span><\/div>

1 hour, 30 minutes<\/h4>

This is suitable for medium-length sessions that require more engagement. For example, sessions where organisers would like a bit more time for discussion, Q&A, or interactive elements, or where a topic needs more space to be unpacked without becoming a longer workshop.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\uf0a9<\/span><\/span><\/div>

3 hours<\/h4>

This is suitable for longer sessions where organisers want to explore a theme or topic across multiple dimensions, perspectives, or activities. This duration corresponds to a typical half-day workshop.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span>

Submission <\/h1><\/div><\/div>
Submit Proposal<\/a><\/div><\/div>

Proposals must be submitted via OpenReview.<\/p>\n

Please note that an OpenReview profile is required to make a submission. New OpenReview profiles may require a moderation period. We strongly encourage organisers to create or update their OpenReview profiles well in advance of the submission deadline. If you have any issues here contact us with the contact information at the end.<\/p>\n

Submissions must be complete and follow the required proposal structure. Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Submission Instructions<\/h2><\/div><\/div>

As part of the submission process, you will be asked to answer a set of questions about your proposed session, including the title, session format, session length, target audience, and a short description of the session. You will also be required to upload a proposal PDF as part of your submission.<\/span><\/p>\n

The proposal PDF is the most important part of the submission. While we do not provide a fixed template for how proposals should be written, we encourage organisers to structure their proposals in a way that clearly addresses the selection criteria and factors outlined above. This is the primary guideline we use when reviewing proposals, regardless of the format or style you choose.<\/span><\/p>\n

While proposals may vary in structure, we typically expect them to cover the following elements. Note that these elements are provided as guidance rather than a strict template. Organisers are free to structure their proposals in ways that best reflect their session ideas, as long as the proposal clearly addresses the selection criteria and demonstrates thoughtful planning.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\uf0a9<\/span><\/span><\/div>

Title and Abstract<\/h4>

A clear title and a concise summary of the session\u2019s focus and scope.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\uf0a9<\/span><\/span><\/div>

Goals and Objectives<\/h4>

What the session aims to achieve, how it contributes to African AI and the broader ML\/AI ecosystem, and the expected outcomes for participants.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\uf0a9<\/span><\/span><\/div>

Session Format and Length<\/h4>

The chosen session format and duration, along with motivation for why this format and length are appropriate for the session\u2019s goals.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\uf0a9<\/span><\/span><\/div>

Organising Team<\/h4>

Names, affiliations, roles, relevant expertise, diversity and any prior experience running similar sessions. This should also explain why this team is well-positioned to deliver the proposed session.<\/p>\n

.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\uf0a9<\/span><\/span><\/div>

Tentative Agenda or Session Structure<\/h4>

An outline of how the session will run, including the planned flow and approximate timings.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\uf0a9<\/span><\/span><\/div>

Speakers or Participants Information<\/h4>

Information about invited or planned speakers or participants (confirmed or tentative), and their relevance to the session topic.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\uf0a9<\/span><\/span><\/div>

Target Audience and Engagement Information<\/h4>

Who the session is intended for, and how participants will be engaged.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Review Criteria<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\u00a0How do we select sessions, especially given that we are explicitly incorporating more session formats beyond traditional workshops?<\/span><\/p>\n

This is not an easy decision \u2014 particularly as this is the first time we are doing this in such an intentional way within the Indaba Workshops programme. In the spirit of transparency, we outline below the key factors that will guide how proposals will be generally reviewed.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Relevance to Indaba themes<\/h5>

Question being asked:<\/span>
<\/span>How well does the proposal align with the Deep Learning Indaba theme?<\/b><\/p>\n

The theme of Deep Learning Indaba 2026 is \u201c<\/span>Sovereign Intelligence: Africa\u2019s Path in a Frontier AI World<\/span><\/i>\u201d. What does this mean to you? How does your session fit \u2014 directly or indirectly \u2014 with the theme? While proposals do not need to explicitly centre on the theme, they should bring something of relevance and value to the Indaba audience and community.<\/span><\/p>\n

What reviewers look for:<\/span><\/p>\n