December 9, 2024
Science For You – SciFY, in collaboration with the Education Office of NCSR “Demokritos”, and the support of the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, successfully completed the innovative “AI Pioneers Students in Natural Sciences” project, preparing the new generation of scientists to utilise AI technologies in Natural Sciences.
In the frame of the project, more than 140 students were trained innovatively through an online course and real research challenges, during which they worked in teams under the guidance of NCSR Demokritos’ researchers. Students developed new skills and gained knowledge in connection with the research community while NCSR D researchers got in touch with new talent interested in research and innovation.
The online program remains freely available from Science For You – SciFY on the project website.
More about the project: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the world, with applications affecting all sectors, including the Natural Sciences. However, Natural Sciences’ students do not have the necessary knowledge and familiarity with AI to be able to utilise it as it is now required in the field of work and research. The project came to fill this gap, offering the necessary theoretical background knowledge, practical training, and connection with the research community.
The outcome of the training for students, was to not only understand the role of AI in the Natural Sciences, but also acquired the tools to start their professional careers. Through internships and collaboration with NCSR Demokritos’ researchers, many of them found new opportunities for research projects, theses, and collaborations. Students were impressed with the results: “The experience was amazing! I saw in practice how I can utilise Artificial Intelligence and what it is like to work in research in a supportive environment!” said a student who participated in the program.
The project also highlighted the prospect of students collaborating with the country’s largest research centre, promoting the use of AI in research and science. At the same time, a new network of potential collaborators for future research projects was initiated. “I was impressed and moved by the students because many came from other cities just for the hackathon. We would happily collaborate with them in the laboratory in the future and utilise AI as a tool for them” said Dr. Panagiotis Krokidas, Associate Researcher at the Institute of Informatics & Telecommunications, who participated in the program.
The people behind the project:
Mr. Vassilis Giannakopoulos, Chief Marketing Officer of SciFY, said: “At SciFY, we have been training pioneers in Artificial Intelligence for years. So, we knew the need, and that is why we implemented the project with the support of the Ioannis S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, which is always by our side. However, we were also surprised by the response and the quality of the young people who participated. Students from all over Greece participated with enthusiasm. They came to the Challenges from Athens, Patras, Trikala, and Ioannina and arrived at the venue half an hour earlier than expected. They discussed lively and with interest; they were thirsty for learning. Researchers from NCSRD supported them in an exemplary manner and built relationships with them, seeing them as potential collaborators. We will continue this project with more optimism and enthusiasm. We are already discussing with research institutes to do something similar in other scientific fields to connect students with the world of research and stimulate innovation in Greece.”
Dr. Emilia Smyrli, Head of the Education Office of NCSR Demokritos, stated: “It was a week that will truly remain unforgettable to me, full of hope for the future. Seeing young men and women from every corner of Greece coming half an hour before the start of the day with huge smiles and leaving late in the afternoon with the same smiles on their faces, collaborating in solving difficult problems and excellently presenting their work on the last day, inspired me to try even harder to support the Greek student community. Our young men and women are the strength for tomorrow.”
Mrs. Eva Lianou, General Director of the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, stated: “It is our great pleasure to have contributed to the implementation of the program “Science Students: Pioneers in Artificial Intelligence”, an initiative that reflects our deep belief that the qualitative enhancement of the country’s human resources is the core for effectively addressing the challenges of the global digital transformation. In an era where Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies are reshaping the fields of research and innovation, this Program equipped the new generation of scientists with the necessary skills and tools to utilize Artificial Intelligence responsibly and effectively in their professional careers while at the same time strengthening their capabilities for networking with the scientific community.”