Jumping into the AI revolution — hooves, paws and fins first
The SAVY 3.0 steering committee. Photo: Rachel Philipson/CVM
The College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) hosted the third annual Symposium on Artificial Intelligence in Veterinary Medicine (SAVY 3.0) this past weekend, May 29-31, 2026. This hybrid event welcomed experts from over 20 universities and companies from 28 states across the United States, and 13 countries worldwide. Conference co-chair Renata Ivanek, Ph.D.'08, professor in the Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, described the conference as "An outstanding, one-of-a-kind event."
Over 200 attendees, including students, academics, and industry professionals, gathered onsite and live online to learn about the latest AI-powered advances across all disciplines of animal health. The program featured research presentations, industry and academic keynotes, panel discussions, a workshop and scientific posters, all highlighting groundbreaking applications of AI to safeguard the well-being of a diverse range of species, including dogs, cows, fish, and mice. “In line with the 'One Health' ethos, virtual access to the symposium was made free for those in low- and middle-income countries, said conference co-chair Dr. Parminder Basran, associate professor of medical oncology.
Attendees engaged in discussions not only about the unique uses of AI in research and clinical practice, but also about the ethics of AI in health science as a whole. This was "An exceptional gathering of professionals,” said Dr. Christopher Pinard from ANI.ML Health, Toronto, who joined the steering committee last year. “This unique experience brought together experts from various disciplines, united in their commitment to advancing veterinary and translational medicine through AI. Attendees gained practical tools, thought-provoking insights, and even developed their own applications during our own mini hackathon.” Co-chair Dr. Peter-John Noble with the University of Liverpool, UK, who also joined the committee last year, said, “This was conference where every presentation and poster provoked curious, enthusiastic and searching conversation between presenters and delegates."
As artificial intelligence continues to transform healthcare, SAVY remains a unique forum for advancing responsible, impactful applications of AI in veterinary medicine.
-Written by Katherine Koebel
-Photos by Rachel Philipson/CVM
