The fifth edition of the AI_4_LIFE: Biotech Future Forum opened its doors on 29 October 2026 at the historic Ložionica venue in Belgrade. Organized jointly by the Government of the Republic of Serbia, the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Serbia, the Office for IT and eGovernment, the World Economic Forum and the United Nations Development Programme, the event also received support from the BIO4 Campus. The gathering was positioned as a crossroads where scientific discovery, medical innovation, industrial application and public policy intersect.
More than a thousand participants arrived from Serbia and abroad, spanning academia, healthcare, venture capital, industry and government. The programme centred on next-generation therapies, cutting-edge diagnostics, the role of artificial intelligence in research, and mechanisms to accelerate biotech entrepreneurship. Among the speakers were Nobel laureate Professor Gregg Semenza, materials-science pioneer Professor Molly Stevens, and systems-biology leader Professor Andrea Califano, supported by a roster of international innovators.
Serbian digital backbone fuels the forum
Director of the Office for IT and eGovernment, Dr. Mihailo Jovanović, highlighted the rapid expansion of Serbia’s digital ecosystem, noting the presence of State Data Centers in Kragujevac and Belgrade and the launch of a National Platform for Artificial Intelligence. He announced that by the end of the year Serbia will operate three supercomputers, a capability that will underpin large-scale AI modelling and biotech data analysis. The infrastructure, he argued, transforms the country into a viable ground for high-impact scientific projects.
Jovanović stressed that continued investment in human capital, research facilities and data pipelines is essential to turn scientific concepts into market-ready solutions that improve everyday life. He called on policymakers, investors and educators to collaborate in nurturing the talent pool that will sustain Serbia’s emerging role in global biotech and AI research.
International regulators and UNDP underline inclusive AI governance
Kelly Ommundsen, head of the World Economic Forum’s Global Regulatory Innovation Platform, remarked on the delicate balance between fostering innovation and establishing safeguards. She emphasized that the forum’s debates on AI regulation, ethical standards and societal impact are crucial for ensuring that breakthroughs are pursued responsibly and in line with human values. Ommundsen praised the growing quality of the dialogue, noting that each year the event attracts more sophisticated speakers and more nuanced policy discussions.
UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo warned that the real challenge lies not only in who creates AI technologies but also in who can access the necessary computing power, reliable data and expertise. He reminded attendees that the United Nations is facilitating a global conversation on AI governance, aiming to give every nation a voice and the capacity to act. De Croo cited a decade-long partnership with Serbia that includes strengthening cybersecurity, developing AI tools for the Serbian language, and delivering citizen-focused digital services.
Interactive experiences showcase biotech breakthroughs
This year’s forum introduced two immersive formats: the “Interactive Hub,” a space for open dialogue and the exchange of hands-on experiences, and the “Immersive Room,” where participants can explore real-world applications of biotechnology, personalized medicine and AI-driven diagnostics. Visitors can witness demonstrations of gene-editing platforms, AI-assisted imaging and Serbia’s e-Government solutions, illustrating how digital tools are reshaping health care delivery.
The combination of high-level talks, regulatory insight and experiential showcases positions the AI_4_LIFE Biotech Future Forum as a pivotal venue for aligning scientific ambition with societal needs. As the conference unfolds, it will likely set the agenda for the next wave of AI-powered biotech innovation across Europe and beyond.
