On Friday 30 January 2026, exquAIro brought together clinicians, researchers, educators, healthcare leaders and Mayor Roelien Kamminga of Groningen for an inspiring symposium focused on the accelerating role of artificial intelligence in medicine. Hosted across two locations (UMCG Groningen and the Odd Fellow House), the day offered a rich program of scientific depth, clinical relevance, and strategic reflection.
The symposium explored how AI is reshaping medical research, diagnostics, and patient care, with contributions spanning a wide range of disciplines. From executive perspectives on AI in medicine to deep dives into large language models, advanced diagnostics, and innovative therapies, the program reflected exquAIro’s mission to connect medical expertise with cutting-edge AI capabilities.
Mayor of Groningen on AI’s societal value
exquAIro was honored by the presence of Mayor Roelien Kamminga, whose attendance underscored the societal and regional and national significance of AI in healthcare. Mayor Kamminga highlights the broader impact of such initiatives: “Innovation in healthcare is not just about technology. It’s about improving lives across our community. The work being done at exquAIro demonstrates how collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and AI experts can translate into real benefits for patients and society alike, in Groningen and beyond.”
Highlights from the program
The morning sessions at UMCG opened with an executive education perspective on capturing opportunities of AI in medicine, followed by scientific presentations that demonstrated how AI is already making tangible impact in clinical research. Prof. Gerard Koppelman shared insights into the development of diagnostic testing for asthma in infants based on the Lifelines NEXT cohort, while Kai Yu Ma discussed the use of large language models in medicine and their implications for clinical workflows.
After lunch, attention turned to strategic and translational themes. Marnix Bügel, co-founder of exquAIro, together with Stephanie Klein Nagelvoort, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at UMCG, reflected on the mission and long-term strategy of exquAIro. Joost Groen presented a compelling case on metabolic diseases, highlighting how breakthroughs in GSD1a offer new perspectives for patients, and Prof. Tom van Meerten explored how AI can help make CAR T-cell therapy accessible for currently incurable diseases.
AI Factory and clinical questions
The afternoon continued with a dedicated session on the opportunities of the new AI Factory at UMCG, presented by Bart Scheerder, followed by a transition to the Odd Fellow House for a mini-symposium. There, Prof. Martin de Borst shared insights on AI-driven cardiovascular risk assessment, and participants of the Biomedical AI Bootcamp Class 3 presented their work, showcasing how clinical questions can be translated into impactful AI-driven projects.
The day concluded with an informal networking reception, providing ample opportunity for continued discussion and collaboration. Prof. Gerard Koppelman, Chair of the exquAIro Board and Professor of Pediatric Pulmonology at UMCG, reflected on the day: “We saw exactly what exquAIro stands for today. By bringing together medical specialists, researchers, civic leaders and AI experts, we are not only sharing knowledge, but actively building the foundations for better, more data-driven healthcare.”
Text: exquAIro
Photo: Mayor Roelien Kamminga of Groningen and Martin Smit, board member exquAIro (photographer Agnieszka Dworzanska)