The AIchemy Hub was delighted to welcome over 20 undergraduate students from 10 universities across the UK to Imperial College London for the Next Generation of AI Chemists Programme 2026.
The two-day programme is designed to help break down barriers for students from backgrounds under-represented within the chemistry sector by equipping them with digital skills, introducing them to artificial intelligence (AI) for chemistry, and showcasing the wide range of career opportunities available at the AI–Chemistry interface.
Day 1: Building skills through hands-on learning
The programme began by bringing students together to meet their peers and build connections through an interactive icebreaker session before diving into a day of practical learning.
Students took part in hands-on training, choosing between an Introduction to Python or Introduction to Machine Learning workshop, where they developed core computational skills that are becoming increasingly important in modern chemical research.
The afternoon concluded with a collaborative Generative AI mini-hackathon, where students worked in teams to tackle chemistry-related challenges using a range of Large Language Models (LLMs). The session encouraged creativity, teamwork and critical thinking while demonstrating how AI tools can support scientific problem-solving.
The first day ended with a summer BBQ, giving students, speakers and organisers the opportunity to network, share experiences and build lasting connections in an informal setting.
Day 2: Exploring the future of AI in chemistry
The second day shifted the focus from technical skills to the exciting opportunities AI is creating across chemistry research and industry.
Students heard about the many ways AI is being used to accelerate scientific discovery, from drug discovery and materials science to automation, data-driven experimentation and molecular design. These talks highlighted the growing role of AI in tackling some of chemistry’s biggest challenges and gave students valuable insight into this rapidly evolving field.
The careers session brought together professionals from academia, industry and the technology sector, who shared their career journeys, discussed the skills needed for future roles and answered students’ questions about working at the intersection of AI and chemistry. The panel provided insights into the diverse pathways available and encouraged students to consider opportunities they may not have previously explored.
The programme concluded with an interactive discussion on next steps, where participants shared the topics and skills they would like to explore further through the programme’s follow-up online career and skills development sessions. The event closed with a networking lunch, allowing students to continue conversations with speakers and fellow participants before departing.
Looking ahead
The enthusiasm, curiosity and engagement shown throughout the two days made the programme a tremendous success. It was inspiring to see students from 10 universities collaborate, embrace new technologies and explore how AI can transform the future of chemistry.
We would like to extend our thanks to all of our speakers for generously sharing their expertise, experiences and advice. Their contributions helped provide students with a realistic and inspiring view of the opportunities available across academia, industry and beyond.
A huge thank you also goes to every student who took part. Your energy, thoughtful questions and willingness to learn made the programme an enjoyable and rewarding experience for everyone involved.
Finally, thank you to everyone behind the scenes who helped organise and deliver the programme. From planning and logistics to training sessions and student support, this event would not have been possible without the dedication of so many colleagues and partners.
The Next Generation of AI Chemists Programme does not end here. Participants will continue their journey through a series of online skills workshops and career development sessions, helping them build on what they have learned and continue developing the knowledge, confidence and networks needed to pursue careers at the intersection of AI and chemistry.
We look forward to following the journeys of this talented cohort and seeing the impact they will make as the next generation of AI chemists.