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NEXT-AI workshop 2026 is an initiative to bring together different research communities to discuss AI and computational tasks: from novel materials, to biology, to optical platforms. Bringing together over 140 researchers from different fields, we discussed hardware and software challenges as well as the role of AI in changing the paradigm of performing research.
Dr Antonio Cutrona and I led and brought together an early-career researchers committee composed of over 12 PhD students from 4 different universities (Aston University, University of Strathclyde, Nottingham Trent University, and Loughborough University). The ECR committee led an initiative, supported by the Optica Global Meeting Grant, with 4 major pillars: the organisation of a career development panel, a series of flash talks, an informal networking event, and a poster session & poster competition.
Thanks to Cambridge University Press and Optica, we were able to provide 10 poster prizes (see below for more info). The Optica's Global meeting grant was enabling for recognising the leadership effort of the early careers.
Antonio & I founded the Optica Future leader award that was granted to ECR Committee members for their outstanding contribution to the organisation of the ECR initiative. The awardees were: Matthew Wilson, Jordan McConnell, Akash D. Thomas, and Aadithya Suresh.
website: www.next-ai.tech
Futher comments to the event:
Juan S. Totero Gongora (senior lecturer & organiser)
Yann Amouroux (Director of Optica Europe)
Matthew Wilson (ECR committee member)
ECR - Career Development panel discussion
ECR - Career Development panel discussion
The Career Development Panel discussion was led by the ECR Matthew Wilson, PhD student from Strathclyde University, and it features 4 panellists: Dr Francesca Parmigiani, Microsoft Research Cambridge, Prof. Andrea di Falco, St. Andrews University, Prof. Natalia Berloff, Cambridge University and Dr Alessandro Pierro, Intel and LMU.
Among the several questions raised by the ECR committee and attendees:
If AI can now perform advanced tasks, including aiding the research process with advanced conceptual & mathematical reasonings, fast and accurate literature reviews, what is the future of research? And what skills should future students prepare for?
Is AI a threat to theoretical PhD studentships?
If theoretical reasoning can be performed by LLMs, to the point that they can act as facilitators & teachers while learning advanced mathematical concepts, is AI a threat of the academic system, and in particular to the role of academic teaching?
There wasn't a unanimous answer to these questions, leading to the conclusion that further discussion and support are needed to address the concerns presented here.
ECR - Poster Sessions & poster prizes
ECR - Poster Sessions & poster prizes
The poster sessions and poster prize competition was led by Aadithya Suresh, PhD student at the Emergent Photonics Research Centre in Loughborough University.
We received over 30 posters abstract submissions and 10 posters were awarded, based on presenter's presentation skills, poster clarity and original work.
ECR - Flash Talks
ECR - Flash Talks
The ECR committee organised 2 flash-talks sessions to enable over 15 students and early-career researchers to present their research.
The sessions were chaired by Akash D. Thomas, PhD student from the Emergent Photonics Research Centre, Loughborough University.
The sessions were well attended with over 60 people.
Akash also presented his novel research on "Terahertz Image Decoupling via Bayesian Langevin sampling with score-based diffusion priors".
ECR - Networking event (Pub Quiz)
ECR - Networking event (Pub Quiz)
The Networking event took place at the Jam Garden in Loughborough, and was led by Jordan McConnell.
Among the quiz's questions: sports, music, and MRI images of fruits and vegetables.
Thank you!
Thank you!
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