Future of explainable artificial intelligence research in healthcare
Tomáš Brázdil, researcher from the Faculty of Informatics at Masaryk University and a key contributor to the BioMedAI project, was invited to speak at the conference Research Data Day and EOSC National Tripartite Event, held on May 21–22, 2025, in Brno under the auspices of EOSC CZ.
RI-SCALE marks a significant step toward the next generation of data-driven research
Masaryk University is proud to partner in the newly launched RI-SCALE project (Unlocking RI Potential with Scalable AI and Data), funded under the Horizon Europe program. This ambitious project brings together 29 partners across Europe to address the challenges of effective research data exploitation. Coordinated by the EGI Foundation, RI-SCALE officially started on March 1, 2025, and will run until February 2028 (36 months). The project aims to develop cutting-edge Data Exploitation Platforms (DEPs) to enhance the accessibility, usability, and impact of research data across multiple scientific domains.
The paper "Beyond Occlusion: In Search for Near Real-Time Explainability of CNN-Based Prostate Cancer Classification" has been accepted for presentation at the prestigious 2025 IEEE International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging (ISBI 2025). This conference, taking place April 14–17, 2025, in Houston, TX, USA, is one of the leading events in biomedical imaging, bringing together cutting-edge advancements in medical image analysis, artificial intelligence, and computational imaging.
The RI-SCALE project, set to run for 36 months, has been awarded funding under the prestigious Horizon Europe program. Titled "Unlocking RI Potential with Scalable AI and Data," the project aims to significantly advance the integration of data and artificial intelligence (AI) in scientific research. One of the project partners is Masaryk University, represented through the BioMedAI initiative, with members from both the Faculty of Informatics and the Institute of Computer Science. The principal investigator for Masaryk University is Associate Professor RNDr. Tomáš Brázdil, Ph.D., from the Faculty of Informatics.
XAI Winter School 2025 Successfully Connected Brno and Graz
From January 6 to 10, 2025, the Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute and the Faculty of Informatics at Masaryk University in Brno, in collaboration with the Medical University of Graz, hosted the Winter School focused on using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in digital pathology. Following the success of the Summer School in September 2024, this event attracted 26 participants, far exceeding the organizers' expectations and highlighting the growing importance of AI in medicine.
The 2024 Brno Oncology Days attracted a record 2,510 attendees and offered a rich program focused on innovations in oncology. The topics addressed the latest advancements, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
A Glimpse into the Future of Digital Pathology and Medical Data
The conference featured contributions from experts in AI applications for oncology and digital pathology. The BioMedAI representatives also contributed to the conference program with their expertise.
At the beginning of the new year, the Winter School XAI 2025 will occur from January 6 to 10, 2025, at the Masaryk Oncology Institute in Brno and the Medical University of Graz. This unique program will provide practical insights into the latest artificial intelligence (AI) advancements in digital pathology.
Participants will engage in training sessions led by experts, covering essential topics such as AI-assisted diagnostics, the significance of explainability in medical AI, and certification processes according to the In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR). The program also includes a practical component, allowing participants to work directly with digital pathology data, including whole-slide images and clinical data.
Representatives of the BIoMedAI project participated in the 1st Annual Congress of the Asian Society of Digital Pathology (ASDP), which took place from October 2 to 4, 2024, in Seoul, South Korea.
The delegation included Vít Musil, the team leader from the RationAI lab and Assistant professor at the Department of Computer Science, along with PhD student Adam Bajger and master's student Adam Kukučka, who presented the results of his research. This research, initially part of his bachelor’s thesis, is now under review.
From September 2 to 6, 2024, the Faculty of Informatics and the Institute of Computer Science at Masaryk University in Brno hosted a successful summer school focused on Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) in digital pathology. Organized by members of the BioMedAI project, the event attracted nearly 40 participants eager to explore the applications of AI in medicine.
The XAI Summer School has successfully started, with nearly 40 participants attending lectures by experts in the field. Renowned speakers are sharing valuable insights and inspiring the next generation to explore this high-potential area that promises significant advancements in medicine.
The EOSC Association Task Forces play a key role in the development of the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC). These teams, composed of experts and volunteers from across Europe, focus on specific areas essential for the implementation and advancement of EOSC.
From September 2 to 6, 2024, the Faculty of Informatics and the Institute of Computer Science at Masaryk University in Brno will host a summer school focused on Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) in digital pathology. This educational program promises participants a comprehensive view of how artificial intelligence can be used in medical applications.
On April 24, 2024, the Czech Open Source Policy Forum took place in Brno, featuring prominent discussions on the sustainability of open-source projects within the public sector and academia. Among the attendees was Petr Holub, a representative from the BioMedAI project. He actively participated in discussions focused on the importance of community engagement for the sustainability of these initiatives. Holub's insights contributed to a deeper understanding of how collaborative efforts can enhance the longevity and impact of open-source projects.
The non-profit organization Science Party hosted an event spotlighting the collaborative efforts of pathologists and IT specialists from the BioMedAI project as they presented the challenge of cancer using AI!
Pathologist Rudolf Nenutil recently appeared as a guest on a popular Czech Radio podcast, where he shared insights into the development of software utilizing artificial intelligence for the detection of cancerous findings.
“The increasing demand for sophisticated clinical diagnostics leads to the need for semi-automatic systems using AI and machine learning to speed up the diagnosis process, and the BioMedAI project aims to establish close cooperation between computer science and clinical experts to develop explainable and trustworthy AI solutions through virtual training, workshops, and summer schools, while also increasing the visibility and presence of explainable AI research in healthcare.”
Petr Holub, Project Lead
“The increasing demand for sophisticated clinical diagnostics leads to the need for semi-automatic systems using AI and machine learning to speed up the diagnosis process, and the BioMedAI project aims to establish close cooperation between computer science and clinical experts to develop explainable and trustworthy AI solutions through virtual training, workshops, and summer schools, while also increasing the visibility and presence of explainable AI research in healthcare.”
Petr Holub, Project Lead