Computational social research is undergoing a profound transformation driven by artificial intelligence. Methods that once relied on limited automation and classical analytical approaches are now being reshaped by large language models, embedding-based techniques, generative agents, and AI-assisted experimental designs. While these developments open new analytical possibilities, they also raise significant methodological and epistemological questions.

The Young Scholar Conference & Research School “AI & Methods in Computational Communication” (AIM-CC 2026) is an intensive training program designed for early-career researchers working in the field of Computational Social Science or Computational Communication Research. The event offers a structured set of courses examining how AI is transforming major methodological areas of research: natural language modeling, social network analysis, and experimental research.
In addition to the methodological training, the program includes a conference component. Participants will present their research projects and have the opportunity to discuss and further develop them in close interaction with the instructors and mentors.

The event will take place offline in Astana, Kazakhstan. There is no participation fee; however, travel and accommodation expenses are not covered by the organizers.

This academic event aims to bring together PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, advanced Master’s students, and early-career scholars working in Computational Communication Research, Computational Social Science, digital sociology, political communication, network science, AI & Society, and related fields. The school will be conducted in English.

AIM-CC 2026 is jointly organized by the Kazakhstan Sociology Lab in partnership with the School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University. The program is funded by the Ministry of Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (IRN BR28713139).