Opportunities, Risks and Resilience
The Forum on AI & Robotics in Strategic Sectors brings together researchers, specialists, industry professionals, decision-makers, and institutional representatives to examine the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics on sectors that are vital to society, the economy, and national security.
Organized by the Institute of Systems and Robotics (ISR), the Forum provides a multidisciplinary space for informed discussion, knowledge exchange, and collaboration between academia, industry, public institutions, and technology leaders.
As autonomous and intelligent technologies become increasingly integrated into critical systems, their adoption creates significant opportunities for innovation, efficiency, improved decision-making, and new operational capabilities. At the same time, it introduces complex challenges related to safety, reliability, cybersecurity, ethics, governance, human oversight, and technological dependence.
Moving beyond purely theoretical debate, the Forum adopts a practical and forward-looking approach. Its purpose is to identify high-impact applications, assess emerging risks, and explore how resilient, trustworthy, and responsible AI and robotic systems can be developed and deployed.
Exploring AI-assisted diagnostics, clinical decision support, medical robotics, automation, data governance, patient safety, and the responsible integration of intelligent technologies into healthcare systems.
Examining intelligent manufacturing, industrial automation, collaborative robotics, smart energy systems, renewable energy integration, predictive maintenance, connected infrastructure, autonomous mobility, intelligent transportation, logistics, operational safety, and the transformation of industrial, energy, and mobility ecosystems.
Addressing resilient autonomous systems, cybersecurity, unmanned platforms, decision-support technologies, trusted autonomy, system robustness, and the responsible use of AI and Robotics in complex operational environments.
By connecting scientific expertise with real-world experience, the Forum aims to promote a shared understanding of both the potential and the limitations of these technologies. It seeks to contribute to strategies that strengthen innovation and competitiveness while ensuring that future AI and robotic systems remain secure, resilient, accountable, and aligned with societal needs.
Exploring the critical intersection of AI and healthcare, focusing on clinical automation, early anomaly detection, and the rigorous validation frameworks required for life-critical diagnostic environments.
Examining the transition toward autonomous manufacturing and mobility, with an emphasis on predictive maintenance, edge-computing orchestration, and guaranteeing deterministic safety in non-deterministic AI environments.
Addressing the strategic deployment of resilient autonomous systems, focusing on trusted autonomy protocols, cybersecurity, and operating safely within contested and GPS-denied environments.
An intensive single-afternoon format structured for deep technical dialogue.
Roundtable (55min) • Q&A (5min)
Participants:
Moderator: João Macedo • DEI-UC
Roundtable (55min) • Q&A (5min)
Participants:
Moderator: Luis Garrote • ISR/DEEC-UC
Roundtable (55min) • Q&A (5min)
Participants:
Moderator: Luís Andrade • UC Business
Join us at the heart of the University of Coimbra.
University of Coimbra
Faculty of Medicine Building, Polo 1
Rua Larga
3000-370 Coimbra, Portugal
Located at the historic campus (Polo 1), the Student Hub provides modern facilities within a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The team behind the Forum
Organized and hosted by leading research institutions
Join leaders in AI and Robotics at the University of Coimbra.
This is an exclusive event. Expressions of interest will be evaluated by the organizing committee. Selected participants will be contacted directly with official invitation details and credentials.
Thank you for your interest in the AIRS Forum 2026. Our organizing committee will review your submission and contact you shortly.
Supporting innovation in AI and Robotics
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