UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in Biomedical Innovation (AI4BI)

Cross-sector Forum 2026

From Research to Real-World Impact in Healthcare AI

Charting the Roadmap for 2026–2030

Join us for a day of high-impact discussion, collaboration and networking; bringing together leaders from industry, healthcare, academia and public health to explore how AI can transform patient care, streamline systems, and unlock next-generation biomedical innovation.

Agenda

• 09:30 Coffee & Arrival - Student posters will be on display
• 10:00 Welcome & Opening Remarks

• 10:15 Twin Talks: From Research to Impact

1. AI for Gene & Cell Therapy (Speakers TBC) - Accelerating target identification, treatment optimisation, and personalised design through intelligent data integration and predictive modelling.
2. AI in Drug Discovery & Development (Speakers TBC) - Harnessing generative and multimodal AI to speed compound discovery and de-risk development.
3. AI in Healthcare Delivery (Speakers TBC) - Embedding responsible AI into clinical workflows, and population health systems to improve care quality and operational efficiency.

Paired talks from leading voices in industry and University of Edinburgh exploring how AI is transforming the full life cycle of biomedical innovation, from discovery to delivery. Each pair of speakers, one from industry and one from the University, will explore how collaborative innovation can overcome barriers to translation and unlock tangible impact by 2030.

• 11:45 Coffee - Student posters will be on display

• 12:00 Speed Networking: Connect, Collaborate, Create

Fast-paced, structured conversations designed to connect potential collaborators. Match with AI researchers, industry partners, and healthcare innovators to explore shared challenges, identify synergies, and spark ideas.

• 12:45 Lunch - Student posters will be on display

• 13:30 Focused Discussion Sessions: Turning Insight into Action

1. AI in Gene & Cell Therapy - How can AI shorten the path from target discovery to therapeutic design while maintaining safety and regulatory confidence?
2. AI in Drug Discovery - What are the most effective ways to validate and de-risk AI predictions in preclinical and early clinical stages?
3. AI in Healthcare Delivery - What does successful adoption of AI in clinical settings look like by 2030, and how do we get there?

• 14.45 Coffee - - Student posters will be on display

• 15:00 Plenary Panel Discussion

“From Innovation to Implementation: Charting the Roadmap for AI in Health (2026–2030)” Industry leaders, clinicians, policy experts, and academic researchers come together to synthesise insights from the day, identifying the steps needed to translate AI research into scalable, responsible healthcare impact.

• 15.45 Main session close

• 16:00 Partner Roundtable (Invitation Only) 1 hour

A closed strategic discussion bringing together invited industry partners to co-create our evolving partnership strategy. The roundtable will focus on aligning CDT research and training with sector priorities, exploring new partnership models, and identifying practical routes to accelerate translation and real-world impact.

• 17.15 Roundtable ends

Join Us and Help Shape What’s Next

Whether you’re exploring collaborations, seeking strategic insight, or looking for innovative talent, this event is your opportunity. Be part of a community shaping how AI transforms healthcare over the next 5–10 years.

Learn more about our Centre for Doctorial Training: https://ai4bi-cdt.ed.ac.uk/

Register now to attend & connect with leaders in biomedical AI innovation. Deadline is 18th March.

To book, "Register as a Guest" or "Login" if you have a University of Edinburgh UUN. Successful registration will be confirmed via email. For registration assistance, please contact us on eievents@ei.ed.ac.uk.