AI Economics Summer School 2026 at ETH Zurich

April 9, 2026

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Brief Information

AI Economics Summer School 2026 is a new opportunity for PhD students who want to use artificial intelligence tools in frontier empirical research. The program will take place at ETH Zurich from September 7 to 14, 2026, and it also includes participation in the Zurich Workshop in AI & Applied Economics on September 11 to 12. Applications are due by April 30, 2026.

This summer school is designed around the full research pipeline in applied economics, from shaping a strong research question to dataset construction, identification, and inference. It is especially relevant for doctoral researchers interested in machine learning, NLP, computer vision, and generative AI in economics.

Key Dates & Details

Program name: Zurich Summer School in AI & Applied Economics
Dates: September 7–14, 2026
Application deadline: April 30, 2026
Decision timeline: Mid-May 2026
Location: ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland, in person
Included event: Zurich Workshop in AI & Applied Economics, September 11–12, 2026
Target group: PhD students in economics and related fields
Registration fee: No registration fee
Benefits: Breakfast, coffee, and lunches provided; hotel information with reduced rates; limited travel support may be available
Format: Online preparatory lectures in August plus in-person sessions, student projects, and final presentations
Organisers: Elliott Ash, Sergio Galletta, Joachim Voth, and David Yanagizawa-Drott

Overview

AI Economics Summer School 2026 is built for PhD students who want to strengthen their ability to use AI methods in applied microeconomic research. According to ETH Zurich, the school will train participants across the full research process, including framing economic questions, constructing datasets with AI tools, and addressing identification and inference challenges.

The academic focus is highly relevant for today’s research environment. The official call highlights how machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and generative AI are expanding what economists can measure and how they design empirical studies. This makes the program a strong fit for doctoral researchers who want to move beyond theory and into practical, research-ready applications.

The structure combines online preparation and intensive in-person learning. Participants receive preparatory lectures in August on methods such as machine learning, NLP, and generative AI. During the in-person week in Zurich, morning sessions focus on lectures, conceptual frameworks, and methodological discussion, while afternoon sessions are devoted to student group projects, hands-on data work, and faculty mentoring. Projects are expected to develop into research proposals with preliminary analysis and will be presented on the final day.

The program also stands out because it includes participation in the Zurich Workshop in AI & Applied Economics. That added component gives selected participants exposure to a wider academic discussion around AI and economics during the same week, which can be particularly valuable for networking, research inspiration, and early-career visibility.

Eligibility

AI Economics Summer School 2026 Eligibility

The program expects to admit around 15–20 PhD students in economics and related fields. Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in applied microeconomic research, an interest in bringing AI tools or methods into their research, and basic programming experience in Python or a clear commitment to learn it before the program begins.

The official materials do not list nationality restrictions. Based on the published call, the opportunity appears to be open internationally to eligible PhD applicants from any country, as long as they match the academic profile and application requirements. This is an inference from the official call rather than an explicitly stated country list.

This makes AI Economics Summer School 2026 especially suitable for:

PhD students in economics
Doctoral researchers in related quantitative or social science fields
Early-stage researchers interested in applied microeconomics
Applicants exploring AI-assisted data collection, prediction, classification, and experimental design

Application Details

To apply for AI Economics Summer School 2026, candidates need to submit a CV and a short research statement of up to one page. Applicants may also submit an optional working paper or research proposal. In addition, a confidential recommendation letter should be sent to the contact email listed in the official application information PDF.

Because this is a selective program with only about 15–20 places, applicants should prepare a concise but convincing application. A strong submission will likely show a clear research direction, evidence of interest in applied microeconomic questions, and a realistic plan for using AI methods in research. That advice is an editorial recommendation based on the stated program goals and selection profile.

There is no registration fee, which makes this summer school more accessible than many academic training programs. The organizers will provide breakfast, coffee, and lunches, and participants will receive information on hotel options with reduced rates. Limited travel support may also be available, so applicants who need financial support should review the official materials carefully.

Helpful external resource for readers who want to understand the related workshop component:
https://lawecon.ethz.ch/conferences-workshops/workshop-in-ai-and-economics.html

FAQ

1) Who can apply for AI Economics Summer School 2026?

PhD students in economics and related fields can apply. The call specifically mentions strong interest in applied microeconomic research and AI-related methods.

2) Is there an application fee or registration fee?

No. The official application information states that there is no registration fee.

3) What documents are required?

Applicants should submit a CV and a short research statement of up to one page. A working paper or research proposal is optional, and a confidential recommendation letter is also required.

4) What support is offered to participants?

Breakfast, coffee, and lunches are provided. Participants also receive hotel information with reduced rates, and limited travel support may be available.