REAL ML 2026 workshop: Johannesburg

Date

–

Location

Johannesburg, South Africa

Koliwe Majama

Independent consultant

Chenai Chair

social scientist

My Data Rights

Yossra Kallali

Legal specialist and researcher, advocate

Xiaowei Wang

artist, writer, advocate

Visiting Assistant Professor at University of California, Santa Cruz, Kaiji

Anna Bacciarelli

Researcher and advocate

REAL ML, Human Rights Watch

Aoise Keogan-Nooshabadi

Operations Manager

REAL ML

Showing 3 of 6 ()

Abstract/Summary

Applications now open for a three-day workshop in May 2026 in Johannesburg, South Africa, for people working on AI accountability issues

The next flagship REAL ML workshop will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa. Dates to be confirmed, likely late May 2026, over three full days. Participants should allow for five days, including travel, as a minimum.

Applications are open from 5 January until 8 February 2026. Please use this referral form to apply or recommend someone you know to apply.

The REAL ML flagship workshop is an opportunity to bring works in progress to a trusted group setting to get feedback, ideas and ultimately help you get your project out to the world. If you are working on a paper, a report, thinking of litigating or campaigning, or undertaking research of any kind, and are open to joining a vibrant international, interdisciplinary community, then you are in the right place! Refer yourself or someone you know

Who is it for?

This event is aimed at mid career professionals working on algorithmic or AI accountability issues. It is an expert workshop, and a high degree of prior knowledge is expected. Participants will come from a range of disciplines, approaches and geographies, so we ask that any attendee is open to new ideas and approaches, potentially open to being challenged on existing beliefs. The workshop will primarily be conducted in English, but translation options may be available: please let us know if you require these when asked on the application form.

We welcome applications from people working to advance understanding, documentation and empowerment for marginalised and vulnerable communities on the receiving end of AI and automation systems. While we value data science and other qualitative methodologies, we create equal space for lived experience and particularly welcome those with lived experience of algorithmic harms to apply. Past attendees have come from a range of disciplines – across civil society, academia, and industry – and in roles ranging from journalists to data scientists to lawyers to activists.

This is an international workshop, and REAL ML has hosted meet ups around the globe. However, we are keen to situate this event in South Africa, and especially encourage people working on these issues across the African continent to apply, as well as those working in relevant issues from other Global South contexts.

Refer yourself or someone you know

Workshop format

We have a tried and tested format: three full days together, intense plenary discussions, hands-on work in breakout groups and plenty of fun at social events each evening. Participants need to be available for five days in total, to include travel days on either side of the programme.

Participants will present their work to their breakout group for live ‘peer review’ from other experts. We hope participants will leave with tangible ideas about how to move their project forward – whether it’s a research paper, an advocacy campaign, an investigative report – as well as a mix of practical skills to apply to their work, and a sense of connection with a community advancing these practices together.

We are open to a wide range of formats. The only criteria is that it’s something you’re actively working on and have some progress to show for it and have made headway on. It must be more developed than an idea – whether that’s a draft paper, story or report, initial research, a beta product – something that you can share in a breakout group, consulting your colleagues where you’re struggling to collectively troubleshoot blockers, workshop ideas for next steps, and maybe even consider collaborating with your group. 

Previous REAL ML workshops have helped participants develop, finish and launch advocacy campaigns, research papers, data journalism and investigative reports.

How to apply

To apply, you must complete this referral form before 8 February 2026. The REAL ML team will then contact you to share a full application form. You can nominate yourself, or people you know who you think may be a good fit.

When the application window has closed, all applications will be considered by the organisers, including the co-Chairs, Steering Committee and Organising Group. You will be contacted by this group on the outcome of your application by mid March at the latest.

Office hours

We are hosting weekly office hours throughout January, where people curious about the REAL ML Johannesburg workshop can drop in and ask the Co-Chairs and REAL ML staff about the workshop and application process. Just drop in, no need to let us know in advance.

If you can’t make these times but want to discuss your application with the team, please contact us.

Workshop focus and themes

While the broad focus of the workshop is exploring current themes around tech accountability and honing our methodology and sharing resources to advance algorithmic accountability research, there are themes that our co-Chairs have identified as areas of particular interest. These themes are broad and we imagine that if you are working in this field you are likely to have work that falls under one of these categories. We are encourage applications of work that falls under at least one of these themes to help produce generative discussions and to support work that is much needed, especially in the African context.

The overarching themes of the 2026 REAL ML workshop are:

Corporate power, public accountability and the AI labor supply chain

How can countries in the Global South counterbalance the influence of technology companies from the Global North? What does effective regulation of AI trade and investment  foster business opportunities while upholding transnational labor standards that protect local workers from exploitation ? What accountability frameworks can be put in place to mandate ethical audits of AI in public services in alignment with local needs.

Language, cultural integrity and algorithmic erasure

How can the Global South ensure the cultural preservation and data privacy of its indigenous and minority languages when deploying LLMs? What specific accountability and localization steps must developers, policymakers, and global tech firms take to counter language bias?

AI and surveillance technologies in conflict and humanitarian crises

In light of the rising risks of digital neocolonialism, automated repression, and biased weaponization during conflicts, autocracies, and mass migrations, what are the current trends in legal and civil accountability, and what tangible progress has been made in upholding human rights? Additionally, what are the latest trends in biometric ID systems, and how have they affected minority groups with non-normative identities or presentations? What social justice protections are needed?

People

Workshop Co-Chairs

This event is co-Chaired by Chenai Chair and Koliwe Majama, who bring a wealth of global experience from their work in civil society, internet and tech research, and philanthropy, supporting public interest technology, human rights, and social justice initiatives.

Chenai Chair directs the Masakhane African Languages Hub and is also the founder of My Data Rights, a knowledge repository that offers an African Feminist perspective on AI, privacy, and data. 

Koliwe Majama is an independent consultant with over two decades of expertise in media, information communication and technology governance work.

Organising Group

Steering Committee

About REAL ML

At REAL ML, we have been hosting events to advance AI accountability efforts since 2019, when we brought a group of 30 leading researchers and practitioners together to workshop a range of data investigations, complex policy issues, and qualitative research projects. Since then we have held a series of workshops online and in person, in Mexico City, Beirut, London and Berlin. Each time, an international cohort has come together to workshop key issues of the moment and strategise on tech accountability, and make new partnerships and friendships.

We want to share, interrogate and strengthen our methodologies in documenting how AI impacts people in the real world. Whether that’s through ethical data practices, participatory methodologies, or creative partnerships, we aim to help a global movement of researchers capture the impact of AI on people who are already vulnerable, excluded and discriminated against.

Over seven years, we have grown a community of practical researchers, critical scholars, organisers and advocates, all committed to sharing knowledge, resources and connections to create a well-resourced movement for change.

All Events
REAL ML uses only essential cookies; read our privacy policy here.