Two students from the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET) at Antonine University (UA), specifically from the Department of Computer and Communications Engineering (DCCE), Veronica El Hoyek and Antoine Tawil, participated in the “European Humanism in the Making” Summer School organized by the European Federation of Catholic Universities (FUCE). The event was held at Université catholique de Lille in France from July 1 to 5, 2024. This year’s focus was on “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Remaking European Humanism.” The summer school covered a wide range of topics including humanism, European identity, and the potential impacts of AI in these areas. Discussions encompassed historical contributions to European consciousness and explored the ethical and legal implications of AI within the European context.

As the only students specializing in computer and communications engineering, Veronica and Antoine shared their technical expertise on AI. Beyond technical discussions, they engaged in debates on literature, arts, translation, and European identity, stimulating thought-provoking conversations. Participants also learned creative writing techniques for writing a dystopian story, emerging in depth with the new forms of intelligence.

A highlight of the program was the MyEurope public panel, where Veronica and Antoine, along with 4 other international students, got the chance to debate various topics including European politics, Lebanon’s politics, and the future implications of AI on academia. The students concluded their enriching experience with visits to the House of European History and the Parlamentarium in Brussels, Belgium.

This transformative experience has deeply impacted our students; broadening their perspectives and providing valuable insights into the intersection of AI, humanism, and European identity.