Brain Inspired

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This podcast, hosted by Paul Middlebrooks, features in-depth conversations with neuroscientists studying natural and artificial intelligence, philosophy, consciousness and other related areas.

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Rajesh Rao reflects on predictive brains, neural interfaces and the future of human intelligence

Twenty-five years ago, Rajesh Rao proposed a seminal theory of how brains could implement predictive coding for perception. His modern version zeroes in on actions.

By Paul Middlebrooks
18 December 2024 | 97 min listen
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Grace Hwang and Joe Monaco discuss the future of NeuroAI

Hwang and Monaco organized a recent workshop to hear from leaders in the field about how best to integrate NeuroAI research into the BRAIN Initiative.

By Paul Middlebrooks
4 December 2024 | 97 min listen
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Hessameddin Akhlaghpour outlines how RNA may implement universal computation

Could the brain’s computational abilities extend beyond neural networks to molecular mechanisms? Akhlaghpour describes how natural universal computation may have evolved via RNA mechanisms.

By Paul Middlebrooks
26 November 2024 | 107 min listen
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How Anthony Zador thinks neuroscience can help improve AI

Artificial intelligence is ubiquitous and powerful, but can neuroscience still help advance it? Zador describes the “virtuous circle” of neuroscience and AI that drives progress in both fields.

By Paul Middlebrooks
11 November 2024 | 93 min listen
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Karen Adolph explains how we develop our ability to move through the world

How do babies' bodies and their environment teach them to move—and how can robots benefit from these insights?

By Paul Middlebrooks
25 October 2024 | 89 min listen
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Cristina Savin and Tim Vogels discuss how AI has shaped their neuroscience research

Not all neuroscientists use artificial intelligence in the same way or for the same purpose. Neuroscience researchers from different fields discuss the impact AI has had on their research and how it influences productivity in their labs.

By Paul Middlebrooks
11 October 2024 | 80 min listen
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Kenneth Harris and Andreas Tolias explain how AI has informed their neuroscience research

Modern AI models have shaped how the pair thinks about our brains and minds, asks research questions and views scientific progress and productivity.

By Paul Middlebrooks
8 October 2024 | 77 min listen
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Vijay Namboodiri and Ali Mohebi on the evolving story of dopamine’s role in cognitive function

Researchers discuss the classic stories of dopamine’s role in learning, ongoing work linking it to a wide variety of cognitive functions, and recent research suggesting that dopamine may help us "look back" to discover the causes of events in the world.

By Paul Middlebrooks
27 September 2024 | 97 min listen
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Kim Stachenfeld on the dance between neuroscience and artificial intelligence

As a researcher at both Google DeepMind and Columbia University, Stachenfeld offers cross-disciplinary insight into how to understand the brain.

By Paul Middlebrooks
11 September 2024 | 93 min listen

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