New lecture: How the brain paves the way to intelligent AI!

New lecture: How the brain paves the way to intelligent AI!

Wolf Singer, a renowned German neuroscientist and former director at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, is intensively interested in how natural brains function in comparison to computer systems. The goal of his research is to determine whether the operation of computer systems can use analog principles to develop artificial intelligence (AI). In this context, he particularly examines the functionality of Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) and Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT.

DNNs are complex artificial neural networks that are capable of handling demanding tasks, for example in image recognition or playing chess and Go. LLMs, on the other hand, including ChatGPT, use large amounts of text to understand language and make inferences. Despite technological advances, Singer's research suggests that there are fundamental differences between artificial and natural systems:

Fundamental differences

• Künstliche Systeme verlassen sich auf digitale Signale und verarbeiten Informationen seriell innerhalb hierarchischer Architekturen.
• Natürliche Systeme hingegen verwenden analoge Signale, die parallel in einem stark vernetzten und flach hierarchischen Format bearbeitet werden.
• Ein markanter Unterschied ist die Dynamik: Während künstliche Systeme statisch arbeiten, zeichnen sich natürliche Systeme durch ein hochdynamisches Verhalten aus, das rhythmische Schwingungen und komplexe Interferenzmuster aufweist.

Simulations have shown that these dynamic properties represent an efficient computing strategy and could offer similar advantages to quantum computers. The findings from Singer's work could help develop energy-efficient AI systems that are based on the way the human brain works. This also concerns, among other things, the Theory of Temporal Binding, which describes how synchronized neuronal oscillations enable different brain regions to perceive coherently. Singer's interdisciplinary approach combines neuroscience with computer science and could be crucial for the future of AI.

On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 7 p.m., Wolf Singer will give a public lecture entitled "Oscillations, waves and interference. The lingua franca of the cerebral cortex" in the skylight hall of the main building of the Bauhaus University Weimar as part of the "Sonic Talks" event series. The current theme of the series is rhythm, sound and healing and thus takes an interesting look at the relationship between people and technology.

Henning Beck's perspective

Henning Beck, an equally prominent neuroscientist and best-selling author, highlights the differences between human intelligence and AI in his current interview. Beck addresses the creation of thoughts and points out the differences in ways of thinking. While AI systems like ChatGPT analyze data and generate external probabilities for outputs, humans often start with a conscious intention and think in images and patterns.

Beck's analysis shows that humans use language as an expression of pre-existing ideas, whereas AI models are based on word prediction. A key advantage of the human brain is its ability to deal with unmeasurable aspects such as relationships and creative decisions. Given today's challenges, Beck sees the need for individuals to think independently and critically in order to understand and specifically control the influence of AI.

In his argument, Beck emphasizes that AI systems are particularly effective when processing large amounts of data, but reach their limits when it comes to new problems. Historically, new technologies have not led to mass unemployment, but have created new job opportunities. He advocates viewing AI as a tool that gains value through human interaction and recommends promoting future-oriented leadership styles that emphasize courage and openness to new technologies.