The Korea Cosmetic Industry Institute (KCI Institute), led by Director Cho Shin-hyung, has announced the upcoming International Symposium titled "AI-Driven Convergence in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Data Science, and Communication" in collaboration with Hanyang University's AI+PRISM Research Group, headed by Professor Bae Ok-nam, on November 11.
The symposium seeks to share the latest research trends in artificial intelligence (AI), advanced toxicity assessments, data science, and risk communication. It aims to enhance the safety evaluation and management systems for consumer products, including pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, through technological advancements and international cooperation.
The KCI Institute is dedicated to advancing the cosmetic industry and ensuring consumer safety through research and evaluation of cosmetic safety. It focuses on building a scientific safety management system that responds to changes in the global regulatory environment. At this symposium, developments in safety evaluations utilizing AI and advanced toxicology technologies will be introduced, along with discussions on domestic and international research outcomes and potential industrial applications.
The Hanyang University AI+PRISM Research Group has been selected for the 2026 Ministry of Education BK21 FOUR AI+X Convergence Pilot Project, which aims to cultivate talented personnel through the integration of pharmacy, data science, computer engineering, and media communication in innovative research.
Specifically, it envisions the establishment of an integrated safety net powered by AI that connects safety evaluations of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) with regulatory decision-making and consumer communication, leveraging AI-driven toxicity predictions, real-world data (RWD), multi-omics analyses, and scientific risk communication.
Esteemed scholars and experts, including Professor Thomas Hartung from Johns Hopkins University and Professor Vera Rogiers from Vrije Universiteit Brussel, will participate in the symposium. Attendees will present research outcomes and the latest technologies on AI-driven toxicity predictions, next-generation safety assessments (NAMs), regulatory science, and data-driven safety management, as well as discuss the industrial and societal applicability of related technologies.
A KCI Institute representative stated, “AI and advanced toxicology technologies are crucial foundations for enhancing the efficiency and scientific reliability of cosmetic safety evaluations.” They expressed optimism that the symposium would facilitate knowledge exchange among experts and explore how to apply the latest technologies in industry while advancing cosmetic safety management systems.
Professor Bae Ok-nam added that ensuring the safety of consumer-oriented products, including pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, requires a collaborative approach that integrates AI-based predictions, experimental validation, regulatory decision-making, and consumer communication. The symposium aims to enable researchers and industry experts to collaboratively examine the future direction of safety assessments and foster practical industry-society connections for research outcomes.
Through this symposium, both organizations plan to share research findings and technological advancements related to AI-based safety evaluations and expand exchanges with domestic and international researchers and industry stakeholders. Additionally, they aim to align academic research results with industry demands, enhancing safety management systems for consumer products, including cosmetics, and contributing to the industrial application of related technologies and the strengthening of domestic industry competitiveness.
