Donders Neuro-AI Focus Group

Bridging neuroscience and AI research at the Donders Institute

About

Both neuroscience and AI study how intelligent systems perceive, make decisions, communicate, and act in the world. Despite rapid developments in both fields, critical questions remain at their intersection: How can AI enhance neuroscientific inquiry, and how can neuroscience insights advance AI development? Our proposed focus group aims to bridge this gap by bringing together researchers to address these interdisciplinary challenges. We invite all Donderiansβ€”across disciplines such as neuroscience, cognitive science, machine learning, and research areas like vision, language, learning and decision-making β€”to participate in the focus group through regular meetings. Together, we aim to cultivate a vibrant neuro-AI local community at Donders, one that transcends institutional boundaries and fosters new research collaborations.

News
Jan 2026 β€” Research Stimulation Funds awarded again for 2026! πŸŽ‰
Nov 2025 β€” Our Neuro-AI Focus Group was featured in the Donders News!
Feb 2025 β€” Research Stimulation Funds awarded for 2025! πŸŽ‰
Schedule

14:00–14:45 β€” Talk by Steven Scholte (UvA): β€œFantastic DNimals and Where to Find Them”

Artificial models as model organisms for studying the brain, and what alignment between AI and biology can teach us about neural computation.

14:45–15:00 β€” Coffee break

15:00–16:00 β€” Group discussion & networking

14:00–14:45 β€” Two research pitches

Micha Heilbron
Generative AI for studying the predictive brain using mouse electrophysiology and human 7T fMRI.
Thirza Dado
Neural coding with AI-synthesized reality using GAN-based latent representations.

14:45–15:00 β€” Coffee break

15:00–16:00 β€” CCN roundtable

14:00–14:05 β€” Welcome and introduction

14:05–14:50 β€” PI pitches

14:50–15:00 β€” Coffee & cookies

15:00–16:00 β€” Mini-poster session

Bring an A4 page to introduce your work β€” all career stages welcome.

Organizers
Floris de Lange β€” PI
Linda Geerligs β€” PI
Stefan Frank β€” PI
Marcel van Gerven β€” PI
Thirza Dado β€” Postdoc
Dota Tianai Dong β€” PhD Student
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