2026 Joint Cochrane Methods Executive-ICASR Methods Symposium

Advancing methods for the responsible use of AI in evidence synthesis

This full-day Methods Symposium is co-hosted by the Cochrane Methods Executive and the International Collaboration for the Automation of Systematic Reviews (ICASR). The Symposium will focus on advancing methodological approaches for the safe and responsible use of AI in evidence synthesis, with emphasis on building the evidence base needed to support AI-enabled review methods. Through expert presentations, structured small group discussions, and interactive sessions, participants will examine methodological best practices for evaluating and adopting AI tools. This includes approaches to strengthening underdeveloped areas of evidence for the use of AI tools in key review tasks. Additionally, the methodological implications of differing levels of automation will be explored, taking into account the desired efficiency gains and user expectations across the evidence synthesis and technology communities. Dedicated opportunities for discussion and networking will support shared reflection and collaboration among those interested in the rigorous, transparent, and evidence-supported use of AI in systematic reviews.

At the end of the Methods Symposium, attendees will be able to:

• articulate how evidence‑based medicine principles underpins responsible AI use;
• identify or define best practice methods for evaluating AI tools using current guidance (e.g., RAISE);
• apply transparent and reproducible approaches to evaluate AI tools for key review tasks where evidence is underdeveloped; and
• critically compare the values and incentives of big‑tech developers and tool providers with those of Cochrane and the broader evidence‑synthesis community, and articulate implications for responsible AI tool adoption and governance.

Monday, 7 December 2026 9:00am

This Methods Symposium is intended for evidence synthesists, methodologists, and researchers.

A discounted registration rate is available for participants from low and lower middle income countries, as defined by the World Bank, and for early career researchers.

For the purposes of this registration category, an early career researcher is someone who:

• completed their most recent educational or professional qualification, such as a bachelor’s degree, diploma, master’s degree or doctorate, no more than seven years ago; and
• has held an academic or equivalent research focused appointment for no more than seven years in total.

Periods of career interruption or delay due to childrearing, illness, health related family responsibilities or non research clinical training, such as residency, will not count towards the seven year period.

Please note that this is to register for the Methods Symposium only, if you would like to register for the full Colloquium please click here.