Madrid forum for responsible AI in research

This event, organised by Elsevier and the UPM, brings together institutional leaders and academic leaders to address one of the key challenges facing the current scientific system: the responsible integration of AI into research.

In a context of rapid AI adoption and growing regulatory attention at national and European level, the Forum provides a space for dialogue to analyse its impact on research quality, scientific integrity and trust in science.

Date: 21 April, 2026 Time: 09:00 a 13:30h Location: Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería y Diseño Industrial, UPM

About the event

The Madrid forum for responsible AI in research is part of the Elsevier’s annual flagship event Research Future Forums specially designed for librarians, academic leaders, and key stakeholders across Spain’s research ecosystem.

In this year's edition, Responsible AI in research, the focus will be on how artificial intelligence is transforming research, policy, and governance, with a strong emphasis on responsible use, research integrity, and trust in science. Discussions will reflect national and European priorities, addressing how institutions can adopt AI in ways that strengthen transparency, accountability, and the quality of scientific evidence.

Through keynote perspectives, moderated discussions, and expert-led sessions, the event will showcase Elsevier insights and solutions that support institutional and national objectives, while fostering dialogue and collaboration among government, universities, libraries, and research organizations.

The event will take place at the Higher Technical School of Engineering and Industrial Design (Polytechnic University of Madrid), Ronda de Valencia 3, 28012 Madrid.

Universidad-Politecnica-de-Madrid — Universidad Politécnica de Madrid collaborates with this event

Audience

This event is specially relevant for librarians, researchers, academic leaders, and research funders who want to explore the forces shaping the global research ecosystem.

Agenda

Agenda details will be finalised in the upcoming week.

Time	Session	Speaker
08.30-09.00	Registration and breakfast
09.00-09.10	Welcome and opening remarks	Claudio Colaiacomo - Vice President for Academic Relations, Elsevier José Eugenio Ortiz Menéndez - Adjunto al Vicerrector para Gestión de la Investigación, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) Francisco Santos Olalla - Director of Engineering and Design School, ETS de Ingeniería y Diseño Industrial
09.10-09.30	Keynote Gobernanza de la IA: enfoques nacionales	Guillaume Leblanc - Head of Government Affairs, RELX Jorge Corrales - Director General, Centro Español de Derechos Reprográficos (CEDRO)
09.30-10.00	Expert view Mediocrity-as-a-service': science, rigour and Gen AI	Prof. Jose Luis Aznarte - Director de la División de Evaluación de Enseñanzas e Instituciones, ANECA
10.00-10.20	Insights keynote Responsible use of AI in research	Andrea Carvalho Vieira – Coordinadora General del Portal de Revistas e Información Científica (CGPIC), Coordinación para el Perfeccionamiento del Personal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)
10.20-10.40	Coffee break
10.40-11.00	Insights keynote	David de Francisco Marcos - Deputy Director General for the Adoption and Regulation of the Artificial Intelligence, Spanish Ministry of Digital Transformation and Public Administration.
11.00-11.40	Fireside chat Future of research and AI	Prof. Jaume Puy Llorens - Full Professor of Chemistry and Former Rector, Universidad de Lleida José María Martell - Vicepresidente de Investigación Científica y Técnica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) Jorge Jesús Gómez Sanz - Vicerrector de Tecnología y Sostenibilidad, Universidad Complutense Madrid (UCM) Moderador: Claudio Colaiacomo - Vice President for Academic Relations, Elsevier
11.40-12.00	Deep dive knowledge session Approaches to apply AI in research workflows	William Rubens - Regional Vice President Research Sales, Elsevier
12.00-12.20	Ethics view Responsible AI & human in the loop	Philippa Penfold - Responsible AI & Data Science Manager, Elsevier
12.20-12.35	Closing dialogue National perspectives	Claudio Colaiacomo - Vice President for Academic Relations, Elsevier
12.35-13.30	Networking with refreshments