ASEF Symposium Opens Reflection on the Relationship Between the Artificial and the Natural
On June 23, 2025, the American-Slovenian Educational Foundation (ASEF) hosted the symposium “Between the Artificial and the Natural” at the Grand Hotel Union. The event brought together leading scientists, experts, and young talents from Slovenia in one place. Through an interdisciplinary program, participants discussed ethical, legal, technological, and scientific issues that shape our future.
ASEF Director Dr. Rok Sekirnik highlighted in his opening speech that the foundation’s main mission is to connect Slovenian students and researchers with the global scientific community, while also encouraging their return and involvement in the development of Slovenia. Dr. Jure Gašparič, State Secretary at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, also emphasized the importance of integrating Slovenian researchers into global science.
The keynote speaker of the symposium, Prof. Dr. Jure Leskovec, Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University, ASEF co-founder, and mentor of the ASEF Research Abroad scholarship program, delivered a lecture titled Agents for Accelerating Scientific Discoveries: From Hypothesis Generation to Experiment Design. In his talk, he presented the advantages of using artificial intelligence in science, while also pointing out its limitations.
“Our progress is limited by human resources – we lack experts. We need a completely new approach to expanding scientific knowledge. Individual expertise is becoming narrower, yet simultaneously deeper,” stressed Prof. Dr. Leskovec.
The symposium was enriched with contributions from Prof. Dr. Verica Trstenjak (former judge of the EU Court of Justice), Prof. Dr. Damijan Miklavčič (University of Ljubljana), and architect Robert Dolinar. They explored various aspects of the intersection between the artificial and the natural – from artificial intelligence to law, medicine, and architecture.
The event concluded with a panel discussion featuring ASEF Junior Fellows, who debated the challenges and opportunities of sustainable food systems.
In the evening, the ASEF Gala Night will take place, dedicated to the stories of scholarship recipients and mentors, who will share personal narratives about the importance of connecting knowledge, community, and local environments. The ASEF Lifetime Achievement Award will also be presented during this occasion.
Research: What Influences the Return of Slovenian Talents from Abroad?
On the sidelines of the event, ASEF presented a new research study on the return of highly educated Slovenians from abroad, based on data from over 500 participants in the Brain Circulation project. The results reveal five typologies of migration profiles, ranging from early-career researchers to returnees with career reservations, and highlight the significant impact of external circumstances on decisions to return.
Key reasons for leaving Slovenia were identified as:
- Poor opportunities for professional and personal development
- Low personal income and poor working conditions
- Political reasons
On the other hand, factors most likely to encourage return include:
- Better socio-political conditions
- A respectful attitude toward knowledge and improved job opportunities, as well as better working conditions
- Greater opportunities for advancement and stable working conditions
The findings confirm that a comprehensive approach to addressing systemic challenges is crucial for successful return – not just at the employment level, but also in terms of values, public dialogue, and living conditions.
