The UNICA4EU consortium convened in Brussels on November 15, 2023, for a face-to-face (F2F) meeting that marked a pivotal moment in the journey of leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Childhood Cancer care in the European Union. This gathering was a blend of reflection on past achievements and strategizing for future endeavors.

The meeting kicked off with a comprehensive overview of the project’s current status. Attendees reviewed the substantial body of work that has been completed, including all submitted documents, publications, and milestones achieved thus far. This session not only celebrated the progress made but also set the stage for planning the completion of remaining tasks.

With the project now in its final stretch, discussions turned to organizing a grand closing event. This event aims to bring together key stakeholders in the fields of childhood cancer and AI in healthcare. The goal is to acknowledge and celebrate the significant path laid by UNICA4EU in these crucial areas, fostering a collaborative environment for future advancements.

A major focus of the consortium has been the dissemination of findings and research facilitated by the UNICA4EU project. Numerous white papers, encapsulating the learnings and insights gathered, were presented and discussed. This sharing of knowledge is pivotal to the project’s mission of improving care pathways for childhood cancer using AI.

Understanding the impact of UNICA4EU’s mission and results is crucial. To this end, a plan involving interviews with relevant stakeholders was unveiled. These interviews are designed to gauge the influence of the project on the landscape of AI applications in childhood cancer care within the EU. As a EU-funded initiative, UNICA4EU is committed to mapping and enhancing the application of AI in this critical healthcare domain.

A significant development introduced at the meeting was the new Knowledge Base platform. This platform is envisaged as a comprehensive repository for all the knowledge and resources gathered by UNICA4EU. It represents a foundational step in establishing a robust framework for the application of AI in the fight against childhood cancer, ensuring that insights and resources are accessible for ongoing and future initiatives.

The UNICA4EU F2F meeting in Brussels was more than a mere congregation; it was a testament to the dedicated efforts in harnessing AI for a noble cause. As the project moves forward, the focus remains on enhancing AI-driven solutions in childhood cancer care, ensuring a brighter, healthier future for children across the EU.