The first day of the “AI4-MED: Personalized Medicine in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” conference, held at Hotel Unirea in Iași, brought together leaders from the medical, academic, and technological fields in a setting dedicated to innovation and the practical application of artificial intelligence in medicine. The atmosphere was vibrant, driven by new ideas, interdisciplinary perspectives, and a shared commitment to shaping the future of personalized healthcare.
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The official opening of the event was led by Prof. Dr. Cipriana Ștefănescu and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Simona Caraiman, Co-chairs of AI4-MED, who emphasized the importance of connecting research, industry, and clinical practice. This was followed by welcome messages from prominent figures in the academic and institutional landscape: Andrei Alexandru, President of the National Authority for Research; Prof. Dr. Viorel Scripcariu, Rector of “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy; Vasile Asandei, Director General of ADR Nord-Est; Marius Sorin Danga, Vice President of the Iași County Council; Prof. Dr. Iulian Ciocoiu, President of the Senate of the “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University; and Prof. Dr. Adrian Iftene, Vice-Rector of “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University.
The first part of the day continued with a panel dedicated to personalized medicine and the role of artificial intelligence specialists. Moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Simona Caraiman, the session titled “Personalized Medicine through AI Specialists” fostered an interdisciplinary dialogue between Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ionuț Nistor (UMF Iași), Assoc. Prof. Fabio Massimo Zanzotto (University of Rome Tor Vergata / AlmaWave Italy), and Prof. Dr. Gabriel Turinici (Université Paris Dauphine – PSL, France). The discussions highlighted how data, algorithms, and medical expertise converge to redefine personalized care.
The afternoon featured a hands-on workshop, “AI-on-Demand: A User Guide for the AI Research and Innovation Community,” moderated by Lecturer Dr. Adrian Spătaru, Vice-Dean for Research at the West University of Timișoara. Participants explored European AI resources designed for researchers and innovators during an interactive session focused on practical tools and best practices.
In parallel, the Poster and Exhibition Session, coordinated by Prof. Dr. Adrian Iftene, brought together early-career researchers and innovative companies who presented projects in healthtech and bioinformatics, transforming the exhibition area into a micro-lab of emerging ideas.
The evening was dedicated to the startup competition, set in an atmosphere full of enthusiasm. The first pitching session, organized by Digital Innovation Zone EDIH and moderated by Cristina Baghiu, showcased the outcomes of the regional pre-validation program for innovative healthcare solutions. This was followed by the HTIS 2025 session, moderated by Dr. Cătălina Luca, Senior Lecturer and Bioengineering Specialist, Coordinator of the IMAGO-MOL Young Researchers Department, where healthtech startups competed for the opportunity to participate in the HealthTech Investors Summit 2025 in Utrecht.
The room was filled with energy, bold ideas, and people committed to shaping the future of personalized medicine. We thank all participants—researchers, physicians, students, entrepreneurs, and partners—for their contribution to the success of this first day and for their shared commitment to transforming the healthcare system through innovation.
