As the CLARA Center marks its first year of operation, it is organizing CLARA Days 2025—a two-day international gathering of scientists, industry experts, students, and policymakers focused on connecting brain research insights with advances in artificial intelligence. The event will take place on November 11–12, 2025, in Prague–Dejvice, jointly hosted by the International Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Center (INDRC) and the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics, and Cybernetics at CTU in Prague (CIIRC CTU).
The central theme of the event is breakthrough interdisciplinary research trends linking cutting-edge technologies—including generative AI—with the understanding and protection of human health and cognition, particularly in relation to Alzheimer’s disease.
A key challenge addressed by both CLARA Days and the CLARA Center is how to convert the vast volumes of data generated by modern brain science into actionable knowledge. The goal is to understand complex system interactions and detect early risk factors for chronic brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s. “This requires technological innovation and collaboration across academia, industry, and the public sector to ensure that research translates into real-world health and quality-of-life improvements,” says Prof. Vladimír Mařík, Scientific Director at CIIRC CTU, on behalf of the event organizers.
CLARA Symposium
The core component of the event is the CLARA Symposium, the first scientific conference organized by CLARA partners INDRC and CIIRC CTU. The symposium will showcase CLARA’s research activities aligned with current trends in the study of neurodegenerative diseases, leveraging state-of-the-art technologies—particularly (generative) AI and hybrid computing.
„We are honored to welcome world-class experts to the event,“ says Dr. Vít Dočkal, Director of INDRC. Keynote speakers include:
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Prof. Michal Rosen-Zvi (IBM Research, Haifa) – Director of AI and Life Sciences, who will explore the use of generative AI to understand complex biological systems.
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Dr. Ira Haraldsen (Oslo University Hospital, Norway) – Specialist in the early detection of neurodegenerative diseases using AI diagnostic tools.
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Dr. Adam Schwarz (GE HealthCare) – Global Head of Imaging & Digital (Pharmaceutical Diagnostics R&D), expert in brain imaging technologies (MRI, PET) for neurological and psychiatric disorders.
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Dr. James Arthur Rice (University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, USA) – Will address how public health innovations and aging research contribute to dementia prevention and quality of life.
Also speaking are core CLARA consortium researchers:
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Dr. Josef Šivic, Dr. Jiří Sedlář (CIIRC CTU)
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Prof. Jiří Damborský (ICRC MUNI)
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Dr. Zaven Khachaturian, Dr. Ara Khachaturian, Dr. Jean-Marie C. Bouteiller (INDRC)
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Dr. Ninon Burgos, Prof. Ollivier Colliot (Paris Brain Institute)
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Dr. Vít Vondrák (IT4Innovations, VSB–TUO)
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and many others.
Panel Discussion: AI & Brain Health
The symposium will conclude with a high-level panel discussion titled “AI & Brain Health: Building Trust Through Cross-Sector Collaboration,” taking place on Wednesday, November 12 at 13:30. The panel will bring together representatives from academia, industry, government, and civil society.
Young AI Research Forum & Innovation Award
At 15:30 on November 12, the program continues with the Young AI Research Forum—a session tailored for students and early-career researchers across all fields interested in AI and machine learning. The forum will feature interactive sessions, lightning talks, and the first-ever CLARA Young Innovator Award 2026—a competition for young innovators using digital technologies to improve the lives of the aging population.
The award is already supported by key investors, with 22 Hor Invest s.r.o. as the general partner.
The forum is co-organized by CIIRC CTU, prg.ai, and the RICAIP Testbed Prague, where the event will take place.
CLARA Days 2025 is held under the auspices of the City of Prague, endorsed by City Councilor Daniel Mazur, and supported by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic. This support also enables participation of academic and student delegates from two Ukrainian universities in Lviv, promoting international cooperation and capacity building.
The event is part of the nationwide AI Days 2025 initiative (www.dny.ai), coordinated by prg.ai.
Working language: English
Participation: Free, in-person and online
Registration: www.clara-center.eu/clara-days-2025
