Intelligent Labs for Science
EXPERIMENT RUNNING AI ANALYSIS ACTIVE
27 – 28 May 2026

I-Labs 4S

Intelligent labs

for Science

A European flagship event where autonomous laboratories,
AI-driven discovery, and the future of science converge.

Register Now  →
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AI for Science
Intelligent algorithms that propose, predict and interpret experiments.
Autonomous Labs
Robotic platforms that design, execute and optimize experiments.
Data Infrastructure
Scalable, secure and FAIR scientific data ecosystems.
Human-AI Collaboration
Augmenting researchers with advanced AI systems at every stage.
Concept Event

A pivotal moment
for autonomous
science

IMDEA Energy organizes I-Labs4S as the convergence of artificial intelligence, robotics, and high-throughput experimentation transforms how discoveries are made. Conceived as a European flagship event, it brings together scientists, engineers, industrial leaders, and policymakers driving this transformation.

More than a forward-looking conference, I-Labs4S is a working meeting focused on what is already operational — and on the actions needed for Europe to lead the autonomous science revolution.

01
Accelerating Discovery
Through AI-driven platforms and intelligent automation.
02
Lab to Market
Bridging the gap between bench innovation and industrial adoption.
03
European Infrastructure
Developing standards, talent, and frameworks for Europe to lead.
European Flagship Event · Madrid 2026

"The autonomous science revolution is not coming — it is already here. Europe must lead."

Organized by IMDEA Energy · Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados

2
Days of immersive sessions & roundtables
5+
Expert sessions on autonomous science
25+
Confirmed partner organisations
∞
Possibilities for European science leadership
Our Vision

The laboratory of the future
thinks, learns, and discovers autonomously

We stand at the threshold of a new scientific paradigm. Intelligent systems are not replacing scientists — they are amplifying human curiosity at a scale never before possible. I-Labs4S exists to accelerate this transformation across Europe and beyond.

Programme

Two days.
Five sessions.

An immersive two-day programme exploring the state and future of autonomous scientific discovery.
Day 1 27 May 2026
Day 2 28 May 2026
27 May
From the Bench to the World
01
First Session
Session · Morning
Building the Laboratories of the Future
How autonomous laboratories are transforming the way we do science. This session explores how Self-Driving Labs (SDLs) are being designed, built, and deployed across academia and industry, highlighting real use cases and lessons learned along the way.
Roundtable
From Lab to Market
A practitioner-led discussion on translating autonomous lab innovations into real-world impact: scaling challenges and technology transfer to industrial adoption.
02
Second Session
Session · Afternoon
Open Science, Ethics & Governance
As science becomes autonomous, the rules are being rewritten. This session explores how openness, responsibility, and governance must evolve in the age of AI-driven discovery. Where do we draw the line between open innovation and protection?
Roundtable
Science Without Secrets?
Where do we draw the line between openness and protection? A discussion on IP, regulation, and trust in next-generation research systems.
03
Third Session
Session · Late Afternoon
Intelligence for Self-Driving Labs
Artificial intelligence as the core driver of autonomous experimentation. From machine learning and multi-agent systems to large language models integrated into experimental workflows, this session examines how AI is redefining discovery within SDLs and enabling new modes of scientific reasoning and control.
Roundtable
AI-Robots in the Loop
An open discussion on the role of AI in autonomous labs: opportunities, limitations, trust, and the balance between automation and scientific insight.
28 May
Europe, Scale-Up, and the Future
04
Fourth Session
Session · Morning
Building the Lab of the Future (Spain & Europe)
Strategic perspectives and public initiatives shaping the development of autonomous laboratories across Spain and Europe. This session addresses key aspects such as funding frameworks, research infrastructures, and technological sovereignty.
Roundtable
Europe's Lab of the Future
A high-level discussion with institutional stakeholders on the priorities, challenges, and opportunities for consolidating a European ecosystem of autonomous science.
05
Fifth Session
Session · Afternoon
Emerging Directions in AI-Driven Labs
Exploring pathways to translate results from autonomous laboratories into real-world impact, including scale-up strategies, technology transfer, and industrial deployment. A forward-looking session on where autonomous science is headed — and how Europe can shape the trajectory.
Key Themes

Shaping the
frontier of
autonomous
discovery

Self-Driving Labs
Design, architecture and deployment of autonomous experimental platforms across academia and industry.
Robotics & Automation
End-to-end robotic workflows for complex experimental processes and high-throughput experimentation.
Governance & Ethics
Open science, IP frameworks, and responsible governance for AI-driven research at scale.
Scale-Up & Transfer
Translating autonomous lab results into industrial applications and real-world scientific impact.
Confirmed Speakers

The minds shaping
the future of science

World-leading scientists, engineers, and innovators driving the autonomous laboratory revolution across Europe and beyond.

Victor de la Peña O'Shea
Session 01 ·
Víctor de la Peña O'Shea
Head of Unit of Photoactivated Processes Unit
IMDEA Energía
Jesus Ranz
Session 01 ·
Jesus Ranz
Industry 5.0 Digital Innovation
MOEVE
Miguel Seoane
Session 01 ·
José Miguel Seoane
Data & Modelling Technical Advisors
REPSOL
Juan Antonio de Fuenmayor
Session 01 ·
Juan Antonio de Fuenmayor
Head of Insurance Solutions
Fujitsu
Ana Herrera
Session 02 ·
Ana Herrera Arroyo
Manager of the Patent Department | European Patent Attorney
PONS IP
Esteban Gonzalez Guardia
Session 02 ·
Esteban Gonzalez Guardia
Computer Engineer
UPM
Patricio Reyes
Session 02 ·
Patricio Reyes
Head of the Urban Data Science Research Line, Data Analytics and Visualization Group
Barcelona Supercomputing Center
Jesus Marco
Session 02 ·
Jesus Marco
Professor
Instituto de Física de Cantabria, IFCA
Carlos Balaguer
Session 03 ·
Carlos Balaguer
Professor Emeritus of Robotics
Universidad Carlos III
Héctor Montes Franceschi
Session 03 ·
Héctor Montes Franceschi
Assitant Professor IN Mechatronics and Advanced Design in Robotics. MAD-Robotics
UPM
Angela Ribeiro
Session 03 ·
Angela Ribeiro
Full Professor and Coordinator of the Artificial Perception Group (APG)
Centro de Automática y Robótica, CSIC-UPM
Angeles Ferre
Session 04 ·
Mª Ángeles Ferre González
Scientific-Technical Thematic Programs Subdivision
Agencia Estatal de Investigación
Luis Maeso
Session 04 ·
Luis Maeso
Technical Officer, Department of Institutional Promotion and Regional Cooperation, CDTI Innovation
CDTI
Eduardo Troche
Session 04 ·
Eduardo Troche Pesqueira
Ecosystem Lead · Green Digital
28DIGITAL
Jin Hyun Chang
Session 05 ·
Jin Hyun Chang
Associate Professor
Technical University of Denmark
Sergio Pablo
Session 05 ·
Sergio Pablo García
Researcher at the Institute of Micro- and Nanotechnology
IMN-CNM,CSIC
Yuhui Hou
Session 05 ·
Dr. Yuhui Hou
Senior Scientist high throughput lab automation
ETH Zürich
Jorge Bravo
Session 05 ·
Jorge Bravo Abad
Associate Professor of Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics
Universidad Autonoma
Joaquin Oton
Session 05 ·
Joaquin Oton
Head of Methodology Group
ALBA Synchrotron
Maciej Haranczyk
Session 05 ·
Maciej Haranczyk
Leader of the Accelerated Materials Discovery Group
IMDEA MATERIALES
Julio Lloret
Session 05 ·
Julio Lloret
Group Leader
Institute Català d'Investigació Química, ICIQ
F.Pelayo Garcia
Session 05 ·
Pelayo Garcia Arquer
Group Leader of CO2 Mitigation Accelerated by Photons
Instituto de Ciencias Fotónicas, ICFO
Ana Isabel Bastida
Session 05 ·
Ana Isabel Torre Bastida
Deputy Director of Cores-Digital for Energy, Climate and Urban Transition
Tecnalia
Rubén Sansegundo
Session 05 ·
Rubén Sansegundo
Director, Information Processing and Telecommunication Center
UPM
Fernando Fernandez
Session 05 ·
Fernando Fernandez
Full Professor
UC3M
Nourdine Aliane
Session 05 ·
Nourdine Aliane
Associated Professor
Universidad Europea

Speaker names and biographies will be announced progressively.  ·  Register to receive updates →

Supporting Organisations

Powered by Europe's
leading institutions

I-Labs4S is made possible by the commitment of world-class research centres,
public bodies, and industry leaders driving autonomous science forward.

Organized by

Partners

Our Mission

Empowering scientists with intelligent systems to solve the world's most complex challenges.

A European initiative for the next generation of research

I-Labs4S is developing the infrastructure, tools, and methods to enable a new paradigm of AI-driven scientific discovery — connecting laboratories, data, and researchers across Europe and beyond. More than a conference, it is a working meeting where the future of science is being built.

27 – 28 May 2026

Join I-Labs4S
in Madrid

Two days of sessions, roundtables, and working groups at the intersection of AI, robotics, and scientific discovery. Organized by IMDEA Energy.

Register for the Event  →
Madrid, Spain
27 – 28 May 2026
Scientists, Engineers, Policymakers
Venue & Location

Where it happens

IMDEA Energía · Avenida Ramón de la Sagra 3, Móstoles, Madrid

Host Institution
IMDEA Energía
Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados
Dates
27 – 28 May 2026
Address
Avenida Ramón de la Sagra 3
28935 Móstoles, Madrid
Get Directions  →
Public Transport
· Subway Sation: Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Line 12)
· Renfe Station: Móstoles-El Soto (Line C-5)
· Bus Station: Av.Ramón Sagra-Federico Cantero Villamil (Line 3)