LUMC-LU AI Event

Description

The Leiden-LU AI Event brings together researchers, clinicians, data scientists and partners who are working on, or interested in, artificial intelligence in health and life sciences. This kick-off event marks the official start of the hub and is an opportunity to meet the people and initiatives behind it. 

After an informal lunch, the program opens with an introduction to the Leiden-LU AI Event and its connection to the LUMC strategic theme Digitale Dichtbij (Digitally Connected). We will follow up with a presentation of existing and planned Innovation Center for Artificial Intelligence (ICAI) labs in Leiden.  

The program features a keynote by Prof. Dr. Bram van Ginneken who asks a provocative question: “Tech optimists claim that reductions of 95% or more in cancer mortality and incidence may be possible, but does the Leiden AI Hub agree?” 

Following the plenary session, you can join one of four interactive Breakout Sessions, each focusing on one of the hub's themes: AI4Care, AI4Pharma, AI4PPL and AI4Biomedical Sciences. Each session combines invited talks with a group discussion on the opportunities, challenges and priorities within that theme. The outcomes will be shared in a plenary wrap-up, where we will also present the next steps. 

The day closes with drinks, offering plenty of time to connect with colleagues and explore new collaborations. 

Who Should Attend? 

This event is intended for anyone who develops, applies, or is curious about AI in health and life sciences, from fundamental and translational research to clinical care and drug development. 

Whether you are a PhD candidate, researcher, clinician, data scientist, engineer, policy maker or support professional, you are warmly invited to join. No prior AI expertise is required; what matters is an interest in how AI can contribute to better research and care. 

We welcome participants from LUMC, Leiden University, the Leiden Bio Science Park and beyond, including colleagues from healthcare organizations, research institutes, industry and other (regional) partners who want to contribute to the AI community in Leiden. 

Register now here: LUMC-LU AI Event 2026 - Registration Form – Fill out form

Program

12:00 – 12:50     Lunch – Foyer Building 3 
12:50 – 13:00     Opening 
                           Ahmed Mahfouz and Olivier Bequignon 
13:00 – 13:15      AI in Health at the LUMC and LU 
                           Mark van Buchem and Rachel Knevel 
13:15 – 13:30      Why AI matters for Leiden: the board's perspective 
                           Ymke Fokma and Timo Kos 
13:30 – 13:50     ICAI Labs in Leiden 
                           Thomas Dohmen and Boudewijn Lelieveldt  
13:50 – 14:30      Keynote: Techbros say this about cancer: “reductions of 95% or more
                            in both mortality and incidence seem possible”. Does the Leiden AI
                            Hub agree?
                            Bram van Ginneken (Radboud University) 
14:30 – 15:00     Break 
15:00 – 16:00     Breakout Sessions (multiple locations Building 3) 
                           Choose one of four parallel sessions. Each session opens with an
                           introduction by the theme lead(s),  followed by two invited talks,
                           a group discussion and a closing summary.
                                  •    AI4CARE 
                                  •    AI4Pharma 
                                  •    AI4PPL 
                                  •    AI4BiomedicalSciences 
16:00 – 16:30     Summary breakout sessions and next steps 
                           Ahmed Mahfouz and Olivier Bequignon 
16:30 – 17:30     Networking Reception – Foyer Building 3