First ASEF Scientific Symposium in South America: When AI Becomes a Co-Author of Discovery

At the first scientific symposium organized by the ASEF Foundation in South America, speakers revealed how technology is transforming the foundations of medicine, archaeology, and research work. The event, the result of close cooperation between international institutions, was also marked by the active participation of young professionals and experts who discussed the power of connecting Slovenia and Argentina.

Photo Credits: UCEMA

BUENOS AIRES – “Scientific discoveries drive civilization forward, but their pace has thus far been limited by human capabilities,” highlighted Prof. Jure Leskovec at the opening of the symposium. The first meeting of fellows and professors from the ASEF (American Slovenian Education Foundation) on South American soil offered a fascinating insight into how artificial intelligence not only assists humans but is entering fields where we can no longer manage the sheer volume of data alone.

The symposium was organized by ASEF in strong partnership with UCEMA University, the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Buenos Aires, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation (MVZI), and the Slovenian-Argentine Chamber of Commerce (SLOAR).

The proceedings opened with an address by the Dean of UCEMA, Antonio Marin, who welcomed all participants and emphasized the importance of academic networking. He was followed by Her Excellency Tina Vodnik, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Argentina. In her address, she highlighted the key role of scientific cooperation and the preservation of strong ties with the Slovenian diaspora, establishing a diplomatic and collaborative framework for the event that blends academic excellence with national identity.

The event was further enriched by a speech and expert lecture from Dr. Sergio Pernice, Director of the AI Engineering Department at UCEMA. His contribution underscored the academic depth and the importance of local Argentine partnership in this transatlantic scientific dialogue.

The Virtual Scientist Who Never Sleeps

The central theme, presented by Dr. Jure Leskovec from the prestigious Stanford University, was the concept of AI agents as “co-scientists.” His laboratory developed the Biomni system, the first general biomedical AI agent, which is already automating research processes today. Unlike general models such as ChatGPT, Biomni actually “works”: it utilizes bioinformatics tools, designs laboratory protocols, and analyzes complex genetic data, accelerating the scientific process more than tenfold.

Medicine: From Guesswork to Precise Prediction

Speaking on the future of precision medical treatment, Dr. Robert Jeraj, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an ASEF mentor, emphasized the transition into the era of “4P medicine” (predictive, personalized, preventive, and participatory). Today, AI diagnoses diseases in 85 % of cases by identifying patterns invisible to the human eye. The future vision, on which Slovenian experts are collaborating with researchers from MIT, is a shift from general screening tests to fully personalized risk assessments.

Archaeology: Every Landscape Is a New Lesson

How AI is changing our view of history was demonstrated by Dr. Saša Čaval, a researcher at the Stanford Archaeology Center and an ASEF mentor. Using LiDAR technology and machine learning algorithms, researchers in Mexico located Mayan water sources with 99 % accuracy. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, after adapting the model to specific karst terrain, they identified an incredible 23,600 archaeological mounds.

The Voice of a New Generation: Round Table with Argentine Fellows

Special emphasis was placed on the future of Slovenian-Argentine cooperation and the practical transfer of knowledge. A round table discussion following the lectures featured Argentine ASEF fellows, now successful young professionals: Magdalena Eciolaza, Bautista Ciro Kraševec, and Mariano Figueroa.

As young professionals who honed their skills through the Foundation’s programs, they stressed the importance of international mobility for their career paths. They discussed how the Slovenian diaspora in South America, supported by organizations like SLOAR, can serve as a bridge for technological transfer and business innovation between their two homelands.

Key Message: AI as an Amplifier of the Human Mind

The common denominator of the symposium was clear: artificial intelligence does not replace experts; it acts as their amplifier. Science is becoming faster, more accessible, and more traceable. As Prof. Leskovec concluded: “Every scientist now has an entire team of virtual top-tier experts at their disposal,” which, with the support of state institutions and the academic sphere, radically lowers the barriers to entry into the world of high-end innovation.

The first ASEF Scientific Symposium in South America confirmed the role of the Foundation and its partners as a vital bridge between Slovenian expertise abroad and the local environment, while simultaneously opening doors to new opportunities in South America.