AI4S Open Innovation: AI for Life Science is an open innovation challenge focused on developing innovative, interpretable, explainable, and applicable AI solutions for life science research. As one of the tracks of the 5th Pazhou Algorithm Competition, this event invites teams to explore how artificial intelligence can advance life science, with a special emphasis on organ-on-a-chip technologies and applications.
The challenge welcomes submissions in three categories: * Model & Algorithm: Novel AI/ML models, algorithms, or computational methods for organ-on-a-chip applications, such as prediction models, image analysis algorithms, simulation methods, or scoring systems. * Tool & Platform: Software tools, analytical platforms, or infrastructure supporting organ-on-a-chip research workflows, including data pipelines, experiment automation tools, or visualization platforms. * End-to-End System: Complete systems integrating multiple components from data input to actionable output, such as drug screening systems, automated experimental platforms, or AI-driven digital twins.
Teams are encouraged to apply AI techniques—including machine learning, multimodal models, and AI agents—to tasks such as: * Drug Toxicity Prediction and Response Evaluation: Using organ-on-a-chip data or high-content imaging to predict drug toxicity, efficacy, and dose-response relationships. * Bright-field to Fluorescence Image Translation: Exploring in silico labeling methods to generate fluorescence images from bright-field images to reduce staining costs. * Single-cell Phenotype Analysis: Developing AI methods for cell segmentation, feature extraction, and phenotype analysis from microscopy images.
Participation Requirements: Each team must consist of 1–5 members. Cross-disciplinary teams combining AI/CS expertise with biology/bioengineering/clinical knowledge receive a bonus in the "Interpretability and Reliability" evaluation dimension. All teams must complete a required registration form before submission; submissions without this form are ineligible for awards.
Submission Format: The official submission is a Kaggle Writeup containing a demo video (max 5 minutes), a public code repository, and a technical report (15–20 pages). Optional links to interactive demos or web systems may also be provided.
Timeline: The preliminary round runs from August 15 to October 10, 2026. The semi-final expert review occurs from October 10 to October 20, followed by a final round of presentations and defenses from October 20 to October 30, 2026.
Awards: Outstanding projects will receive prizes totaling $22,200 CNY, distributed among First ($11,850), Second ($7,400), and Third ($2,950) prize winners.