Inria Chile participated in the AI4BIO South Summit 2025

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative tool for the biosciences and global health. Recognizing this potential, researchers and institutional representatives from the Global South convened in Goiânia, Brazil, on November 6 and 7, 2025, for the AI4BIO South Summit. This forum was dedicated to examining the ethical, scientific, and social opportunities and challenges arising from this technological convergence. 

Inria Chile, as a key player in research on digital sciences and technologies—particularly in artificial intelligence—was represented by Nayat Sánchez-Pi, Director of Inria Chile and the Franco-Chilean Binational Center for Artificial Intelligence. She actively contributed to the establishment of the new Global South Network of Experts on Artificial Intelligence and Biological Data (AI4BIO Network), which aims to promote cooperation and scientific diplomacy for sustainable development. 

During the Summit, Nayat Sánchez-Pi participated in Panel 4: "Ethical Governance in the Convergence of AI and Omics." This discussion, moderated by Professor Cristiana Toscano from the Universidade Federal de Goiás, Brazil, and featuring Mayana Zatz from the Universidade de São Paulo (USP) and Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Brazil, addressed the ethical frameworks and governance challenges arising from the integration of artificial intelligence and omics technologies.

At the event, the Director of Inria Chile discussed open science as a necessary condition and key pillar for the current advancement of AI. Open science promotes the dissemination of scientific knowledge, ensuring genuine, accessible, and open participation—especially in critical sectors such as health, education, agriculture, mining, oceans, the environment, and astronomy. She also presented the challenges of genomics in the era of artificial intelligence, particularly its ethical challenges, and explored proposed solutions by combining explainable AI (XAI) and the design of governance frameworks for "AI-based genomics." The panel also provided an opportunity to highlight recent results from projects developed by Inria Chile, especially one of the Center’s flagship projects: OcéanIA.

The Summit concluded with the signing of the Goiânia Letter, a document that embodies the shared intentions and aspirations of the participants. In the letter, participants expressed their commitment to establishing the Global South Network of Experts on Artificial Intelligence and Biological Data (AI4BIO Network) as a platform for cooperation, scientific diplomacy, and joint initiatives to support sustainable development in the Global South.

In its first year, the AI4BIO Network plans to map institutions, researchers, and infrastructure in the Global South working at the intersection of AI and biological data. It will also facilitate pilot projects involving institutions from at least three countries in the Global South. These projects could include AI applications for genomic or biodiversity data, training, and the development of tools for ethical governance and open data analysis.

The letter concludes with the shared aspiration of the twenty-five signatories from various countries—including Colombia, Uruguay, Peru, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, China, and India—for open and inclusive scientific collaboration, ethical innovation, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence and biological data for the benefit of society.

• Regional Mapping: Compile a map of institutions, researchers, and infrastructures in the Global South working at the intersection of AI and biological data during the first year.

• Pilot Projects: Facilitate pilot projects involving institutions from at least three countries in the Global South, potentially focusing on AI applications for genomic or biodiversity data.

• Data Governance: Promote dialogue on the ethical governance of data and develop shared frameworks for the curation and secure access to new datasets.

• Capacity Building: Drive the development of talent and institutional capacities in AI and biological sciences.