The film "Odprawa: AI in the service of science" demonstrates how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing scientific research – from drug discovery to the analysis of cosmic data. In 2026, has AI become an essential tool for every scientist? We examine the latest applications and challenges.
Why is it worth watching "Odprawa: AI in the service of science"?
The film, available on the Odprawa channel, is an accessible introduction to the world of scientific applications of artificial intelligence. The hour-long feature shows how AI accelerates research in medicine, astronomy, chemistry, and the social sciences. Importantly, the creators focus not only on global projects but also on Polish initiatives, which is rarely seen in productions of this type.
It is worth noting three key strengths of the film:
- Practical examples – from AlphaFold 3 to Polish medical projects,
- Expert commentary – insights from scientists and ethicists,
- A balance between enthusiasm and criticism – the film does not shy away from risks and challenges.
If you are interested in science or technology, "Odprawa" provides a solid dose of knowledge without excessive technical jargon.
AI in medicine: From diagnostics to drug design
One of the most fascinating themes of the film is the role of artificial intelligence in medicine. In 2026, AI not only supports doctors but in some cases already replaces them – especially in the analysis of medical imaging or disease prediction.
Breakthrough projects 2024–2026
- AlphaFold 3 (2024) – a DeepMind model that predicts protein structures with unprecedented accuracy. By 2026, it is already a standard in biotechnology laboratories worldwide. Scientists use it for tasks such as designing new drugs or studying protein-drug interactions.
- Exscientia and the Alzheimer's drug discovery (2026) – the British company announced in March 2026 that its AI algorithms helped design a new drug for Alzheimer's disease, which is now entering Phase II clinical trials. This is one of the first cases where an AI-discovered drug has reached advanced human testing.
- Polish AI projects in oncology – in 2026, work is underway on a system to support the detection of brain gliomas, developed by a consortium of Polish universities and research institutes. Although the project is still in the testing phase, it already holds great promise.
The film also shows how AI supports lung cancer diagnostics as part of the EU project LungImpact. Algorithms analyze CT scans, identifying cancerous lesions at an early stage – often before the human eye can notice them.
Challenges and controversies
Despite its enormous potential, AI in medicine also raises concerns. The film addresses issues such as:
- Algorithmic bias – in 2025, it was discovered that some diagnostic systems favor specific demographic groups. An example is the COMPAS algorithm, used in the US to assess recidivism risk – it turned out to perform worse for people with darker skin tones.
- Accountability for errors – who is to blame when AI makes a diagnostic error? In 2026, legal debates are ongoing in the EU and the US regarding the regulation of liability for decisions made by artificial intelligence.
- Data privacy – in the era of GDPR 2.0, scientists must grapple with restrictive regulations regarding the use of medical data by AI.
As one expert in the film notes: "AI will not replace doctors, but doctors who do not use AI will be replaced by those who do." This statement perfectly captures the dynamics of change in medicine.
Artificial intelligence in astronomy and physics
Astronomy is another field where AI plays an increasingly important role. The film "Odprawa" shows how algorithms handle the massive datasets generated by modern telescopes and observatories.
Processing data from telescopes
- Square Kilometre Array (SKA) – a radio telescope being built in Australia and South Africa, which is in an advanced stage of construction in 2026. Once completed, it will generate petabytes of data daily. AI is essential for their analysis – from noise filtering to identifying interesting signals from space.
- Space simulations – NASA and ESA use AI models to simulate the evolution of galaxies or the behavior of black holes. In 2025, the results of the IllustrisTNG project were published, in which AI helped optimize computer models.
The film points out that AI not only accelerates data analysis but also enables discoveries that were previously impossible. Examples include the identification of exoplanets or the analysis of the cosmic microwave background – tasks that require processing vast amounts of information in a short time.
AI in chemistry and materials science
Another fascinating thread is the application of artificial intelligence in chemistry. Tools like MolGAN or REINVENT design new molecules with desired properties, paving the way for the discovery of new drugs or materials.
In April 2026, IBM Research announced the discovery of a new material for lithium-ion batteries that could revolutionize the energy market. This is further proof that AI is becoming a key tool in research into new technologies.
AI in social sciences and humanities
Although AI applications in the hard sciences are most often discussed, the film "Odprawa" also shows how artificial intelligence is changing the social sciences and humanities.
Analysis of historical texts and archives
- Transkribus – an EU project using AI for automatic handwriting recognition in archives. In 2026, the digitization of the National Library's collections using this tool is ongoing. Thanks to this, historians can more quickly search through documents that were previously difficult to access.
- Social trend analysis – models like Google’s Social Dynamics AI analyze social media data to predict migration crises or political shifts. In 2026, the EU is testing the AI for Social Good system, which is intended to help monitor disinformation and manipulation.
The film notes that AI in the social sciences is not without controversy. An example is the debate over privacy – does the analysis of social media data infringe upon citizens' rights? As one expert observes: "AI gives us unprecedented capabilities, but we must remember the ethical boundaries."
Ethics and AI regulations in science (2026)
The film "Odprawa" does not avoid difficult questions regarding the ethics and regulation of artificial intelligence. In 2026, these issues are becoming increasingly urgent, especially in the context of science.
Key regulations and guidelines
- AI Act (EU, 2024–2026) – the EU regulation classifies AI systems into four risk levels. Systems used in science (e.g., medical diagnostics) are considered high-risk and are subject to rigorous requirements. More about the AI Act can be read at artificialintelligenceact.eu.
- GDPR 2.0 (2026) – new rules regarding the use of medical data by AI. Scientists must now be even more diligent about compliance with data protection regulations.
- Code of AI ethics in science (EU, 2026) – guidelines for researchers regarding transparency, accountability, and avoiding algorithmic bias.
Major ethical challenges
The film touches on several key problems:
- Bias (algorithmic prejudice) – how to ensure that AI is fair and does not favor specific groups?
- Accountability for errors – who is responsible when AI makes a mistake in scientific research or medical diagnosis?
- Data privacy – how to protect the data of patients or research participants when it is used by AI?
In May 2026, the European Parliament approved new rules on AI liability to regulate these issues. This is an important step toward creating a safe and ethical environment for the development of artificial intelligence in science.
Polish AI projects in science (2026)
The film "Odprawa" stands out from other productions by also showcasing Polish initiatives using artificial intelligence in scientific research.
Key Polish projects
- AI for Polish Science (NCN, 2025–2027) – a program funding research on AI in medicine, agriculture, and energy. More information can be found on the NCN website.
- PLGrid AI (2024–2026) – a project providing Polish scientists with computing power to work with AI. More at plgrid.pl.
Although Poland is not yet a leader in the field of AI, projects like these show that the national scientific community is increasingly bold in utilizing the opportunities provided by artificial intelligence.
The future of AI in science: What awaits us in 2027–2030?
The film "Odprawa" ends with a reflection on the future of artificial intelligence in science. Based on trends and expert statements, several key development directions can be predicted:
- AI as a standard tool in laboratories (2027) – just as every scientist uses statistics today, in the future, AI will become an inseparable element of research work.
- Fully AI-driven drug discovery (2028) – the first drugs designed from start to finish by AI will hit the market.
- AI in space exploration (2029) – autonomous rovers and probes with advanced AI systems, such as those planned for the Mars Sample Return mission.
- Global AI regulations (2030) – the UN will introduce international ethical standards for artificial intelligence in science.
As one expert in the film notes: "AI will not replace scientists, but it will certainly change the way they work. It is a tool that allows us to reach further and faster than ever before."
If you want to learn more about how technology is changing science, we also recommend our post on AI breakthroughs in 2026.
Summary: Is AI really changing science?
The film "Odprawa: AI in the service of science" convincingly shows that artificial intelligence is already revolutionizing scientific research. From medicine to astronomy, AI accelerates discoveries, optimizes processes, and opens up new possibilities. At the same time, the production does not avoid difficult questions about ethics, regulations, and the challenges that the development of this technology brings.
In 2026, AI is no longer just a supporting tool – it is becoming an inseparable element of scientists' work. As the film shows, the future of science will be increasingly dependent on artificial intelligence, and the key will be finding a balance between innovation and responsibility.
If you haven't seen "Odprawa" yet, we highly recommend it – it is one of the best Polish productions about AI in science in recent years.
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