EU-LIFE Utopia Conference 2024: A Social Innovation Experiment with Artificial Intelligence

Welcome to the 2024 EU-LIFE Utopia Conference!

The conference explores artificial intelligence (AI) in biology and biomedicine and aims to envision the future of research through the lens of AI. In the ever-evolving landscape of scientific research, artificial intelligence has emerged as a transformative force, reshaping our approach to biological and biomedical sciences and management tasks. Building on the success of our previous gatherings imagining the future of science, this year’s EU-LIFE conference celebrates a pivotal moment in research and research management: the integration and impact of AI in biology and biomedicine. The conference invites the scientific, administrative and management community of EU-LIFE to explore the profound implications of AI in our field. We delve into the current state-of-the-art applications, the promise of generative biology, interactive and innovative workshops, and, most importantly, the envisioned future of biology with AI at its core, including ethical and societal aspects.

Beyond the sessions, this conference is a platform for collaboration, innovation, and inspiration. We encourage attendees to engage with the speakers, participate in the discussions, and connect with peers. This gathering is not just about observing the current trends but actively shaping the future of biology and biomedicine, both in research and research management with AI.

Join us in this exciting journey, as we redefine the boundaries of scientific research and unlock new possibilities for human health and understanding. This conference is addressed to members of staff of EU-LIFE institutes.

Program

09:00 – 09:30 Welcome
09:30 – 11:30 Session 1: State-of-the-art AI in biomedicine
11:30 – 13:00 Session 2: Generative AI for generative biology
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00 – 16:00 Session 3: Interactive session “Embracing the serendipity”
16:00 – 17:30 Session 4: Future of research with AI
17:30 – 18:00 Wrap-Up and Goodbye

Confirmed Speakers

Regina Beets-Tan (NKI, Amsterdam)
Mafalda Dias (CRG, Barcelona)
Sofia Forslund-Startceva (MDC, Berlin)
Mario Krenn (MPI for the Science of Light, Erlangen)
Fruzsina Molnár-Gábor (University of Heidelberg)
André Rendeiro (CeMM, Vienna)
Moritz Schaefer (CeMM, Vienna)
Alexander Stark (IMP, Vienna)

Session Highlights

Three invited speakers per session, podium discussions with EU-LIFE members and audience involved, LLM-powered summary and interactive social experimentation empowered by AI between attendees.

AI in Biology: state-of-the-art and beyond
Explore well-established AI applications in biology, from sequence modelling to medical imaging. The speakers will offer insights into how AI is currently shaping biological research.
Dive into the remarkable world where biology meets AI, exploring cutting-edge applications revolutionizing our understanding of life itself. Discover how AI's analytical skills are unlocking new dimensions in biological research, from decoding complex genetic sequences to advancing medical imaging. This session promises a captivating journey through the most innovative AI-driven discoveries in biology, igniting curiosity and inspiration across disciplines.

Generative biology
Discover the burgeoning field of generative AI in biology. This session showcases groundbreaking work pushing the boundaries of synthetic biology using AI approaches.
Step into the vanguard of generative AI, where biology is being reimagined and reshaped. Witness how new technology is creating what once was unimaginable in biological research. This session offers a thrilling glimpse into the future, showcasing how generative AI is pioneering new DNA in genetics, new images in radiology and more.

Interactive session "Embracing serendipity"
Engage in unique social innovation experiment to enable networking opportunities powered by AI, explore multi-modal data presentations, and participate in real-time AI-assisted discussions. This session exemplifies the collaborative and dynamic nature of AI.
To enable the AI-assisted experiment at the conference we ask participants (when registering) to answer some questions. We will use AI tools to try to connect people and identify new synergistic interactions that have not been thought of before. Whatever the outcome will be, it shall be an interesting and joyful experiment.

The Future of research with AI
Envision a future where AI not only aids but also amplifies biological research. Visionaries will inspire discussions on ethical considerations, societal impacts, and the utopian possibilities within an AI-empowered research paradigm.
Envision a world where artificial intelligence and biological research merge to transcend the boundaries of what’s possible. We invite you to dream and debate the future of AI in biology, exploring revolutionary ideas and ethical implications and challenges. A utopian vision awaits, where AI not only supports but elevates biological research and research management, offering a thought-provoking and inspirational experience.