What Happens After AI Starts Doing Science? | Dalton Venture AI4S Event Registration Now Open
More than 2,000 years ago, humanity gazed up at the stars, probing the laws of the cosmos. Three centuries ago, scientists built the modern scientific framework through experimentation and mathematics. Every leap in scientific development has been accompanied by new tools, new methods — and shifts in how humans explore the unknown.
After AI Starts Doing Science
What Comes Next?
More than two thousand years ago, humans gazed at the stars and sought to understand the laws of the cosmos. Three hundred years ago, scientists built the modern scientific system through experimentation and mathematics. Every leap in scientific development has been accompanied by new tools, new methods, and shifts in how humans explore the unknown.
Today, a new transformation is underway: artificial intelligence is evolving from helping humans process information to entering scientific exploration itself.
From Tool to Participant
In the past, scientific discovery typically relied on scientists' accumulated experience, theoretical hypotheses, and experimental verification. Posing questions, forming hypotheses, designing experiments, obtaining results — this has long been the central path of scientific inquiry.
But as AI technology advances, it is helping scientists process complex data that was previously difficult to analyze, identify potential patterns from vast amounts of information, and assist in proposing new research directions.
Similar Changes Are Unfolding Across More Fields
- In drug discovery, AI is helping researchers identify new candidate molecules and optimize development pathways
- In materials science, AI is exploring new material combinations and accelerating the discovery of novel materials
- In energy, manufacturing, and other fields, AI is assisting with complex system simulation, prediction, and optimization
Artificial intelligence is evolving from a tool for improving efficiency into an important participant in scientific research. This is precisely the direction that has garnered global attention in recent years — AI for Science (AI4S).
An Important Frontier for Innovation
If past artificial intelligence was largely about finding patterns in existing data, AI4S explores something different: how to use AI to understand complex systems, assist scientists in discovering new laws, and drive research outcomes toward industrial application.
The history of scientific development has passed through stages of experimental science, theoretical science, and computational science. Now, with the development of large models, intelligent algorithms, scientific data, and computing infrastructure, artificial intelligence is further expanding the boundaries of scientific research.
From protein design and cell simulation in life sciences, to intelligent R&D and future materials discovery in advanced manufacturing, to technology exploration in energy and environmental fields — the intersection and integration of AI and science is giving rise to new innovation opportunities.
Capital Continues to Bet on AI4S
For investment institutions, AI4S represents not just a shift in technical approach, but also the emergence of new industrial innovation opportunities. Dalton Venture has long focused on the technology innovation space, with strategic emphasis on life sciences, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing, paying close attention to cross-disciplinary integration between different technical fields.
Centered on AI-driven scientific innovation, Dalton Venture has already invested in a portfolio of innovative companies exploring related directions, covering AI-assisted drug discovery, bio-manufacturing, and intelligent equipment. We observe that artificial intelligence is continuously expanding how research and industrial innovation connect, and bringing new possibilities for the future development of technology enterprises.
Event Announcement
Building on our sustained attention to the AI4S direction, and to facilitate industry exchange and ecosystem collaboration, Dalton Venture will co-host with Shanghai SDIC Pioneer Fund on August 28:
Pioneer Link × Tong Academy
AIS4: The Scientific Revolution in the Age of Intelligence
Special Event
Application-only closed-door session
Tong Academy is an investor relations event IP created by Dalton Venture, designed to build an exchange platform between startup enterprises, research institutions, industry partners, and investment institutions, promoting the connection of innovative resources and industrial collaboration.
What We'll Discuss at This Event
This event will bring together representatives from government departments, research institutions, industrial enterprises, investment institutions, and AI4S innovative companies to exchange views on AI-driven scientific innovation, research model exploration, and industrial application practice.
How will AI further participate in future scientific research?
How can scientific intelligence drive research outcomes toward industrialization?
What new industrial opportunities are emerging in the AI4S space?
How can Chinese innovative companies explore new paths at the intersection of AI and science?
Agenda
14:00
Opening remarks
14:05–14:30
Keynotes and Perspectives:
Policy Vision and Investment Insights
Speakers:
Municipal and district leaders
Zhi Wen, General Manager, Shanghai SDIC Pioneer Fund
Qi Sun, Founding Managing Partner, Dalton Venture
14:30–14:50
Industry Presentation:
The AI Macro-Lens:
Reconstructing the Underlying Logic of Economy, Capital, and Human Evolution Through AI4S
Speaker:
Xiaolong Fu, Vice President, Beijing Tsinghua University Industrial Research Institute; Chairman and Executive Director, Shanghai Synthetic Biology Innovation Center
14:50–15:10
Investment Perspective:
Dalton Insights: New Opportunities in the AI4S Industry
Speaker:
Yajie Wu, Senior Investment Manager, Dalton Venture
15:10–15:55
Roundtable I:
AI For Life Science:
The Intelligent Exploration from Understanding Life to Designing Life
Panelists:
Shuyi Zhang, Founder, Qingyan Huazhi
Jiaqi Wu, Founder, Yuanshi Technology
Sen Ye, Co-founder and Head of Scientific Affairs, Xellar Biosystems
Zhe Zeng, Founder, NewPro; Researcher, Wageningen Future Food Institute
Moderator:
Tao Ru, Managing Director, Investment Division II, Shanghai SDIC Pioneer Fund
15:55–16:40
Roundtable II:
AI for Biomedicine:
New Paradigms in Innovation From Molecular Drug Discovery to Clinical Intelligence
Panelists:
Zhuozhi Wang, General Manager, Shuimu Molecule
Chunan Liu, Founder, Saiqiao Bio
Xin Li, Founder, Baiyao Technology
Moderator:
Yajie Wu, Senior Investment Manager, Dalton Venture
16:40–17:00
Keynote:
AI for Industry:
A Temporal Industrial Brain for the Physical World
Speaker:
Jinjin Li, Founder, Jincheng Technology
17:00
Networking
Event concludes, free networking
Our Guests
Government department leaders · Research institution scholars
AI4S innovative company founders · Industry representatives · Frontline investors
Event Details
TIME
August 28, 2026 | 14:00–17:00
LOCATION
Xuhui District, Shanghai
(Venue to be notified upon application approval)
FORMAT
Application-only closed-door session
We Are Looking For
Join Us
- AI4S entrepreneurs / aspiring entrepreneurs
- Researchers at the intersection of AI and scientific research
- Industry partners interested in scientific intelligence
- Observers seeking to understand cutting-edge AI4S developments
Registration
Scan the QR code below to fill out the application form
Application deadline: August 23
Venue will be notified upon approval
8.28
Scientific exploration has always evolved alongside tools and methods
From the telescope helping humans observe the cosmos
To computers helping humans simulate complex systems
To artificial intelligence participating in scientific discovery
The way humans explore the unknown is constantly changing
On August 28, we look forward to witnessing this transformation with you
Building the AIS4 Innovation Ecosystem Together
