Science For You – SciFY, in collaboration with the Education Office of NCSR “Demokritos”, and with 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 utilize AI technologies in the Natural Sciences.

As part of the Program, 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 “Demokritos” researchers. Thus, the students developed new knowledge and skills and connected with the research community. At the same time, “Demokritos” came into contact with new talents interested in research and innovation. The online program remains freely available from Science For You – SciFY on the project website https://ai-pioneers-students.scify.org/.

The challenge

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 utilize it as it is now required in the field of work and research. The project came to fill this gap, offering the necessary theoretical knowledge, practical training, and connection with the research community.

Results with Impact

• 140+ students were trained through an innovative online AI course specially designed for the Natural Sciences, which remains available for free.
• 5 AI Scientific Challenges were created based on real research problems, where students used AI to propose solutions.
• 30+ students from all over Greece participated in a five-day -non-competitive- hackathon, where they applied their knowledge, worked as a team, and cultivated skills vital to their professional future.
• A presentation event of the results was organized at NCSR “Demokritos” on November 29th, 2024, bringing together students, researchers, and institutions, with the aim of strengthening collaboration and networking.

Benefits for students

The students not only understood the role of AI in the Natural Sciences but also acquired the tools to start their professional careers. Through internships and collaboration with “Demokritos” researchers, many of them found new opportunities for research projects, theses, and collaborations. The students’ impressions were excellent. “The experience was amazing! I saw in practice how I can utilize Artificial Intelligence and what it is like to work in research in a supportive environment!” said a student who participated in the Program.

Benefits for NCSR “Demokritos” and Research

The project highlighted the prospect of students collaborating with the country’s largest research center, promoting the use of AI in research and science. At the same time, a new network of potential collaborators for future research projects was created. “I was impressed and moved by the children because many came from other cities, just for the hackathon. We will be happy if they are people with whom we can collaborate in the laboratory in the future and utilize 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 Science For You – 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 “Demokritos” 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.”