Artificial intelligence (AI) has permeated our lives, transforming how we live and work. Over the past few years, a rapid and disruptive acceleration of progress in AI has occurred, driven by significant advances in widespread data availability, computing power and machine learning. Remarkable strides were made in particular in the development of foundation models - AI models trained on extensive volumes of unlabelled data. Moreover, given the large amounts of omics data that are being generated and made accessible to researchers due to the drop in the cost of high-throughput technologies, analysing these complex high-volume data is not trivial, and the use of classical statistics can not explore their full potential. As such, Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have been recognized as key opportunity areas, as evidenced by a number of ongoing activities and efforts throughout the community.

However, beyond the technological advances, it is equally important that the individual researchers acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to fully take advantage of Machine Learning. Being aware of the challenges, opportunities and constraints that ML applications entail, is a critical aspect in ensuring high quality research in life sciences.

Recognizing this need, this week-long training will bring together experts from four ELIXIR Nodes and deliver a hands-on, high-intensity course available for members from all ELIXIR Nodes.

Learners will be guided across the various steps in Machine Learning, from the foundational concepts, through the deep learning and generative AI techniques, closely complemented by insights into the existing reporting (DOME Recommendations) and regulatory frameworks (EU AI Act).

This 4-day school will involve around 10 trainers/helpers from across 4 different ELIXIR nodes and 30 participants from across all ELIXIR nodes. It will be hosted in France in May 2025.