About this opportunity
The AI and Intellectual Property in Africa workshop, billed as AIPA 2026, is a two day co-creation session on how intellectual property frameworks can support responsible, inclusive and community-oriented AI innovation in Africa. The organising research network, Open African Innovation Research, announces it as a workshop organized by York University and Addis Ababa University, to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, December 7 to 8, 2026.
The working question the post puts forward is how can intellectual property frameworks support responsible, inclusive and community-oriented AI innovation in Africa? The listed themes run across copyright, patents and licensing, ownership of AI models, data and outputs, local languages and low-resource AI, data sovereignty and community interests, and responsible adaptation and commercialization.
The format is participative rather than a lecture series. The application form describes interactive sessions, expert perspectives, case-based discussions, and facilitated co-creation activities, in which participants will identify key challenges and develop practical strategies, research priorities, and recommendations for responsible, locally grounded, and scalable AI innovation.
Participation is funded for those selected. The post prints the support package as airfare, accommodation, meals and airport transfers will be provided for selected participants.
No cash grant or stipend amount is published, so no figure is claimed here. Applications close on 31 October 2026, and the workshop welcomes AI researchers and developers, entrepreneurs, legal and IP professionals, policymakers, community advocates and others working on responsible AI governance.
The form states that the workshop particularly welcomes participants across Africa while fostering broader regional and international collaboration.
What you receive
- Airfare provided for selected participants
- Accommodation provided for selected participants
- Meals provided for selected participants
- Airport transfers provided for selected participants
- Two days of co-creation on AI and intellectual property governance in Africa, held in Addis Ababa on December 7 to 8, 2026
Who can apply
- AI researchers and developers
- Entrepreneurs
- Legal and IP professionals
- Policymakers
- Community advocates and others working on responsible AI governance
- The form states the workshop particularly welcomes participants across Africa while fostering broader regional and international collaboration
How to apply
- Open the AIPA 2026 application form linked from the announcement.
- Set out your professional background, experience and motivation in the form fields.
- Submit by the printed application deadline of 31 October 2026.
Selection process
- The form states that selection will consider the applicant's professional background, relevance of experience, motivation, potential contribution to the workshop, and geographic and disciplinary diversity.
Sources and verification
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Questions applicants ask
Who can apply?
The call is addressed to AI researchers and developers, entrepreneurs, legal and IP professionals, policymakers, community advocates and others working on responsible AI governance.
Is it open outside Ethiopia?
Yes. The form states that the workshop particularly welcomes participants across Africa while fostering broader regional and international collaboration, and selection considers geographic and disciplinary diversity.
What does the workshop cover?
The themes listed are copyright, patents and licensing, ownership of AI models, data and outputs, local languages and low-resource AI, data sovereignty and community interests, and responsible adaptation and commercialization.
Is travel paid?
For those selected, yes. The post prints that airfare, accommodation, meals and airport transfers will be provided for selected participants.
Is there a stipend or honorarium?
No cash grant or stipend amount is published, so no figure is claimed here. The published support is travel, accommodation, meals and transfers.
When and where does it take place?
The workshop runs two days in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, December 7 to 8, 2026, organized by York University and Addis Ababa University.
How are participants chosen?
The form states that selection will consider the applicant's professional background, relevance of experience, motivation, potential contribution to the workshop, and geographic and disciplinary diversity.
What is the deadline?
Applications close on 31 October 2026. Both the announcement and the application form print that date.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
