On December 14, 2024, the National Ecoterra Symposium took place at the Plant Genetic Resources Bank (BRGV) in Buzău, Romania, titled "Humanity: Where Next?... From Cultivating Plants and Domesticating Animals to Artificial Intelligence." This significant event highlighted the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the research and conservation of genetic resources.
The symposium brought together prominent figures, including university professors, researchers, and educators. Presentations covered a wide range of topics, from AI's impact on research to biodiversity conservation and advancements in plant genetics.
Renowned speaker Alexandru Mironov opened the event with a talk titled "Artificial Intelligence: Between Science Fiction and Reality." Other speakers emphasized the importance of environmental education and biodiversity research, including Dr. Paulina Anastasia, who presented the project "Gardens of Knowledge", aimed at promoting environmental education.
BRGV Director Costel Vînătoru discussed achievements in plant breeding and genetics, while Dr. Maria Bessiu presented a retrospective titled "50 Years Since the Nobel Prize Was Awarded to George Emil Palade."
The focus of the discussions was on the use of AI and modern technologies in the research of plant genetic resources. BRGV recently acquired an advanced GPS system for mapping plant species in spontaneous flora, allowing for precise tracking of protected plants like Edelweiss and Mountain Pink.
Vînătoru explained, "This cutting-edge technology not only deepens our understanding of plant genomes but also significantly reduces our research time." BRGV plans to establish a laboratory dedicated to bioinformatics and AI for rapid processing of genetic data to identify plant varieties and genetic similarities.
Experts from BRGV noted that AI is revolutionizing genetic research, greatly reducing analysis time and enabling rapid study of genetic structures. Vînătoru stated, "With AI, we can perform analyses in seconds—processes that once took years."
The Ecoterra Symposium served as an important platform for knowledge exchange, emphasizing the vital role of technology and AI in biodiversity conservation.