Now that Google DeepMind has been recognized with the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the development of Alphafold, the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in chemistry has never been more apparent. This lecture will explore recent advancements in AI, structured in three parts.

In the first part, a general overview of developments in AI will be given, since its inception in 1956, highlighting key developments that have shaped the field.

In the second part, attention will be focused on what generative AI means for the developments in chemistry. Examples of computational modeling, molecular design, drug discovery and materials design will be highlighted .

In the third part, attention will be paid to the potential negative consequences of those “advancements”. Currently it has become relatively easy, when applying the “right” techniques to probe the large language/multimodal/reasoning systems, to generate new chemical/biochemical weapons, that could lead to catastrophic consequences if they fall in the wrong hands.

More information about the lecture and registration can be found on the website.