On a lively May evening at Frederick’s, Liverpool, AIchemy proudly took part in Pint of Science 2025 with a sell-out event titled Talk Nerdy to Me: AI Edition. With pints in hand and curiosity in the air, the audience was treated to an evening of bold ideas, engaging talks, and science made refreshingly accessible.
Hosted by Ben Alston, AIchemy Hub Co-Manager, the evening brought together a trio of brilliant speakers who showcased how AI is changing the game across chemistry, nuclear engineering, and robotics.
First up, Dr Anna Detkina, Lecturer in Nuclear and Virtual Engineering, posed a powerful question: Can we trust AI with nuclear energy? In The AI That Knows Too Much: Nuclear Edition, she explored the potential (and the perils) of using generative AI in one of the most tightly regulated industries. Her talk sparked a vital conversation about the responsibility that comes with powerful tools—especially when the stakes are this high.
Next, we took a deep dive into the future of chemistry labs with Dr Gabriella Pizzuto, Lecturer in Robotics and Chemistry Automation and Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow. In Robot, Run My Lab, she introduced us to the world of Autonomous Chemistry Labs, where robotic scientists are already outperforming humans in key areas. Her talk revealed the real-world challenges of integrating intelligent machines into spaces built for people—and why chemistry’s future might just be robotic.
Finally, Dr Xenofon Evangelopoulos, Research Fellow in AI-led Chemistry and Theme Lead in Computation at LRCFMD, reminded us that AI, for all its power, still needs a human touch. His talk, Blended Intelligence: AI Alone is Still Kinda Dumb, highlighted the importance of keeping humans “in the loop” to fully unlock AI’s potential in chemical discovery. From new materials to lifesaving medicines, his message was clear: the future is collaborative.
The interval AI-themed quiz, hosted by AIchemy Project Officer, Caroline Woods, where teams tested their knowledge (and maybe their competitive spirit) in a fun, fast-paced challenge.
We’d like to extend a huge thank you to our speakers, our host, the Pint of Science central team, and everyone who joined us. Your questions, curiosity, and energy made the night one to remember.
Until next time, we hoped you enjoyed your Pint and your Science!
