Menu Chiudi

organized by

 

4th edition of the

Biophotonics & Artificial Intelligence School

9 – 13    February 2026, Florence (Italy)

Biophotonics has applications ranging from the detection of chemical and biological molecules and microorganisms to biomedical imaging, thus generating informative data of high complexity.
 
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a disruptive technology with applications that now pervade every field of knowledge.The 2026 edition of the Biophotonics & Artificial Intelligence School (BpAI 2026) introduces one of the most significant evolutions ever made in its scientific program. In line with the latest international research, this year edition features—for the first time—dedicated modules on Generative ModelsLarge Language Models (LLMs), Physics Informed Machine Learning and Quantum Machine Learning, alongside consolidated courses on Explainable AI (XAI), deep neural networks, and Reinforcement Learning.

The School was born with the aim of exploring the crossroads between these two disciplines, with the aim of creating a training path for the development of AI applications in the field of Biophotonics. The goal is to offer participants not only an updated overview of the state of the art in AI, but also the theoretical and practical tools needed to apply these technologies across diverse fields such as medicine, biology, photonics, cultural heritage, space science, and advanced data science.

New Scientific Pillars Introduced in the 2026 edition

🧠 Generative Models (GANs, Diffusion Models)
For the first time, BPAI will feature dedicated sessions on generative AI, including applications in data augmentation, biomedical image generation and realistic synthesis of biological structures. This is one of the fastest-growing areas of modern AI.

💬 Large Language Models (LLMs)
A complete module on LLMs: Transformer architectures, embeddings, retrieval-augmented generation, and applications in biophotonics, clinical research, automated document analysis, and computational tools for scientific innovation.

🟪 Explainable AI (XAI)
With advanced lectures led by Prof. Marco Lippi, explainability remains a central theme—especially in medicine.

🌀 Reinforcement Learning
The RL module—led by Prof. Andrew Bagdanov—covers policy gradients, deep Q-learning, and applications.

⚛️ Quantum Machine Learning (QML)
The 2026 edition introduces lectures on quantum-enhanced learning, introducing a discussing future perspectives of QML in biophotonics and biomedical imaging.

📡 Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs)
Hybrid neural models that integrate physical laws, with applications in optical imaging, PDE analysis, fluid dynamics, and advanced modeling of biomedical systems.

The 2026 BPAI edition not only strengthens its position as a leading training program in biophotonics and artificial intelligence, but also introduces a fully updated vision aligned with the most advanced international research trends. By integrating Generative AILLMsQuantum Machine LearningXAI, and Reinforcement Learning, BPAI 2026 becomes one of the most comprehensive and interdisciplinary schools in this field.

Directors of the School

CNR – Istituto di Fisica Applicata “Nello Carrara”, Firenze

Andrea Barucci

Ambra Giannetti

Francesca Rossi

in collaboration with

© 2025 BpAI   

Realized by Fulvia Ciurlia & Ambra Giannetti