Sign up to save tools and stay up to date with the latest in AI
bg
bg
1

New AI Project Aims to Mimic the Human Neocortex

Jun 18, 2024 - spectrum.ieee.org
The Thousand Brains Project, funded by the Gates Foundation, is developing a new AI framework that operates on the same principles as the human brain. The open-source initiative aims to partner with electronics companies, government agencies, and university researchers to explore potential applications for its new platform. The project aims to overcome the limitations of current deep neural networks by reverse engineering the neocortex, which makes up about 80% of the human brain's mass. The project's goal is to create AI with many cortical column-like units that can each perform a sensorimotor task and communicate with each other, much like the neocortex.

The project is also based on the neocortex's role in sensorimotor learning, which allows it to learn in a dynamic manner and quickly adapt to new data. The Thousand Brains Project is developing AI that relies on reference frames, similar to the mammalian brain, to store and understand sensorimotor data. Potential applications for this new AI platform include sophisticated computer vision systems and advanced touch systems for robots. The Gates Foundation is providing the project with a minimum of $2.69 million over two years, and the project is also hoping to announce agreements with government agencies soon.

Key takeaways:

  • The Thousand Brains Project is an ambitious new endeavor that aims to develop a new AI framework that operates on the same principles as the human brain, but is fundamentally different from the principles underlying the deep neural networks that dominate artificial intelligence today.
  • The project is based on the structure of the neocortex and aims to mimic this neuroscience structure in AI with many cortical column-like units that can each perform a sensorimotor task, such as operate a robotic finger.
  • The project is also based on the neocortex’s role in sensorimotor learning, with the aim to build machines that work like the neocortex in terms of sensorimotor learning, which are inherently robotic.
  • The Gates Foundation is providing the Thousand Brains Project a minimum of $2.69 million over two years, and the project is developing a software development kit so others can build on its work.
View Full Article

Comments (0)

Be the first to comment!