Nearly 200 members of the INESC-ID community gathered on October 22 at MS Aparthotel Lisboa, in Linda-a-Velha, for the institute’s Annual Meeting. This year’s venue was conveniently close to the capital, yet its sea view and gardens gave the sunny autumn day the feel of a retreat.

Institutional overview, support offices and AI in research

Inês Lynce, President of the Board of Directors, opened the meeting. She was followed by Miguel Pupo Correia, President of the Executive Committee, and by Executive Committee members João Paulo Carvalho and Nuno Roma. Together, they presented a profile of the INESC-ID community, the institute’s financial situation, and upcoming infrastructure plans and challenges.

Next, the support offices took the stage, with presentations from Sílvia Castro (Innovation Management Office), Sandra Aresta (Knowledge Transfer Office) and David Matos (Technological Infrastructures Office).

The morning closed with an enthusiastic round table on “The Use of AI in Research”, moderated by Rodrigo Rodrigues, President of the Scientific Council. The panel included researchers at several career stages, from senior researchers to a PhD student: Ana Paiva, José Santos, Emanuel Gonçalves and Rui Ribeiro. They discussed how AI is already changing how INESC-ID researchers work and publish, and what it means for the future of research.

Lessons from i3S and a second Town Hall

After the group photo and lunch, guest speaker Cláudio Sunkel opened the afternoon. Currently the Director of i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde and Professor of Molecular Biology at ICBAS, University of Porto, he shared how i3S was created and the good practices that contributed to its success.

The final session brought back the Town Hall format introduced last year. Luís Oliveira e Silva moderated an open Q&A between the Board of Directors and the community. Topics included greater investment in the institute’s international reach, resources for researchers and students, and the future of INESC-ID’s new building.

The day ended at sunset with a relaxed gathering by the pool.

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