The possibilities for innovation in reproductive medicine have no limits when the right synergy between science and art, nature and AI is created. This was precisely the key theme that guided the fourth edition of the Narture International Summit on Reproductive Medicine, an event organised by IBSA which was held in Lugano (CH) from 20 to 22 September 2024.
With the participation of over 250 experts, this summit – organised at the LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura – was an important opportunity for interaction between fertility specialists, as well as an update on the most recent technological and therapeutic innovations in the field of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). The meeting focused on the exploration of best practices and the exchange of scientific knowledge.
The independent scientific committee, in charge of supervising the content, selected the cutting-edge themes in the field of ART, organising the programme around four main concepts: Inspiration, Innovation, Impulse and Interaction. These concepts were explored in depth through frontal sessions, debates and moments of interactive discussion (deep-dive).
During the three days, experts shared the results of their research and the latest clinical applications in the field of reproductive medicine, focusing on new methodologies and the contribution of the technology deriving from AI solutions, which aim to enhance assisted reproduction techniques and improve the effectiveness of treatments.
The term “Narture” is the fusion of human nature, ART and art, a metaphor of the connection between scientific progress in reproductive medicine (ART), the physiological model (Nature) and the role of art as a tool of expression and communication. The 2024 edition of Narture further developed this concept, integrating the most advanced technologies – in particular live Artificial Intelligence – into the execution of the programme.
Indeed, AI was used to generate real-time summaries of the presentations, with the aim of improving the fruition by and the interaction between participants, who could provide real-time feedback on the scientific contents presented. A further contribution from AI occurred in the artistic sphere, with a photographic exhibition entitled The Patient Journey in ART, which used AI-generated images to represent the journey – and the experiences – of patients who underwent an ART procedure.
In addition to the central scientific debate, the 2024 edition of Narture placed a strong emphasis on the integration of patients’ well-being into treatment protocols, a topic about which IBSA has always been very sensitive.
The combination of science, technology and art – together with the use of Artificial Intelligence – can facilitate the journey and progress of reproductive medicine. And, from this perspective, Narture is a concrete example of how interdisciplinarity can open new prospects in the ART sector and translate into practical applications, capable of improving both the effectiveness of treatments and the quality of people’s lives.
