Science and technology, Canada (Commonwealth Union) – In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transcended the realm of science fiction to become a transformative force in various industries. One sector where AI is making significant strides is healthcare, redefining the landscape of medical diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.
The fields of neuroscience and AI share a profound connection. Artificial neural networks in AI systems draw inspiration from the intricate structure of the human brain, while the machine learning methodologies, particularly deep learning, mirror the cognitive processes of the mind.
Yoshua Bengio, a professor at the University of Montreal (UdeM), Department of Computer Science and Operations Research, and Guillaume Lajoie, an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the UdeM-affiliated Mila – Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute, are actively engaged in unraveling and replicating additional facets of human cognition. Their focus extends to neuroplasticity, the brain’s remarkable capacity to adapt and acquire new knowledge.
Bengio and Lajoie aspire to develop AI systems that can emulate advanced human cognitive functions such as perception, memory, learning, adaptability, decision-making, and language. Concurrently, their counterparts at UdeM leverage large-scale AI systems to simulate and comprehend brain processes. Researchers, including Eilif Muller, an assistant professor in the Department of Neuroscience and a researcher at the Institute for Data Valorization (IVADO), utilize AI models to investigate the plasticity of synapses in the neocortex, contributing to a deeper understanding of how the brain functions.
The synergy between neuroscience and artificial intelligence has given rise to the emerging discipline known as neuroAI. Rooted in biological principles derived from neuroscience, neuroAI endeavors to shape AI systems that comprehend human intelligence, aiming for the development of more focused and efficient next-generation AI.
A tangible manifestation of this synergy is evident in the creation of brain-computer interfaces, wherein AI facilitates communication between the neural network of the brain and external devices, such as computers, fostering a reciprocal exchange of information.
Within UdeM’s Department of Neuroscience, Guillaume Lajoie and collaborators Marco Bonizzato, Marina Martinez, and Numa Dancause have recently uncovered methods to enhance the functionality of intelligent neuroprosthetics. These devices play a crucial role in restoring motor function following spinal cord injuries or strokes.
The influence of neuroAI extends into novel realms of inquiry, notably computational psychiatry. This interdisciplinary field leverages computer tools and extensive datasets, including brain imaging results, to deepen scientists’ comprehension of psychiatric and neurological disorders.
In the domain of computational psychiatry, Mila researchers such as Guillaume Dumas from UdeM’s Department of Psychiatry and Addiction and Karim Jerbi from UdeM’s Department of Psychology are actively engaged. Jerbi, for instance, employs magnetoencephalography, a technique capturing electromagnetic brain activity, to scrutinize the role of brain oscillations in both normal and pathological functioning. This intersection of neuroscience and AI holds promise for transformative advancements in diverse applications, from neuroprosthetics to understanding mental health conditions.
“Big data tools and AI can help us understand mental health problems and act early to prevent, detect and treat these problems,” explained Dumas.
The city of Montreal has emerged as a prominent hub in the rapidly advancing field of neuroAI, largely attributable to the collaborative ecosystem fostered by University of Montreal, Mila, and IVADO.
Highlighting this leadership role, Mila recently organized a workshop that convened experts from both Montreal and across the globe. This event served as a platform for the presentation and discussion of cutting-edge neuroAI research, showcasing Montreal’s pivotal role in shaping the future of this dynamic field.
“There are very few places in the world where there is such a strong concentration of advanced expertise in AI and neuroscience, and in the intersection of the two,” said Lajoie. “This combination is quite unique.”
