Overview
Neuro-inspired Computation Course Program (PDF)
From July 2 to 5, 2025, WPI-IRCN (International Research Center for Neurointelligence), the University of Tokyo (UTokyo) and the Tianqiao & Chrissy Chen Institute (Chen Institute) jointly hosted the Neuro-inspired Computation Course at Ichijo Hall, Yayoi Campus. This landmark collaboration brought together 12 distinguished speakers and 35 carefully selected participants such as graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career faculty from 16 countries, totaling 110 attendees worldwide. The program showcased cutting-edge research spanning neuroscience, AI, computational modeling, and interdisciplinary innovation, highlighting IRCN’s role as a global hub for neurointelligence.
Lecture Highlights
The course featured lectures from 12 world-renowned experts whose talks provided a comprehensive and state-of-the-art perspective on natural and artificial intelligence. Key presentations included:
- Dr . Yan Li (Executive Director of Scientific Programs, Chen Institute)
Opened the program with a keynote emphasizing the collaborative vision of IRCN and the Chen Institute to explore the convergence of natural and artificial intelligence. - Dr. Takao Hensch (Professor, Harvard University; Director, IRCN, UTokyo)
Introduced IRCN’s mission, outlining how brain development, intrinsic activity, prediction, and neuromodulation research are integrated with AI through team science and a global partner network. - Dr. Sen Song (Associate Professor, Tsinghua University)
Reviewed the history of bio-realistic learning and presented novel models demonstrating how stochastic synaptic mechanisms could replace conventional backpropagation in specific scenarios. - Dr . Hiroaki Kitano (President & CEO, Sony Computer Science Laboratories)
Proposed the concept of “Cybernetic Scientists,” highly autonomous AI and robotic systems capable of conducting comprehensive scientific discovery, overcoming human cognitive and resource limitations. - Dr. Eugene Izhikevich (Chairman of the Board of Directors, Brain Corp)
Discussed the importance of spike-timing coding and polychronization, emphasizing that timing-based neuronal coding can inspire next-generation brain-like AI models. - Dr. Kazuyuki Aihara (Professor, IRCN, UTokyo )
Introduced nonlinear time-series analysis of high-dimensional spatiotemporal brain data, presenting applications in early disease prediction and the Moonshot project on Mebyo (pre-disease states). - Dr. Chin-Teng Lin (Distinguished Professor, University of Technology Sydney)
Presented advances in non-invasive EEG-based Brain-Computer Interfaces, including EEG-to-text decoding via Large Brain Language Models for natural human-computer interaction. - Dr. Eleonora Russo (Assistant Professor, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna)
Reviewed modern unsupervised approaches to identify structure in complex neuronal dynamics, bridging healthy and pathological brain activity toward functional modeling. - Dr. Takamitsu Watanabe (Professor, IRCN, UTokyo)
Discussed energy landscape analysis for interpreting collective brain and AI dynamics and demonstrated how neural flexibility and stability differ across conditions like ASD. - Dr. Kenichi Ohki (Professor, IRCN, UTokyo)
Presented comparative studies of spontaneous and stimulus-evoked activity in rodent and primate visual cortices, revealing a hierarchy of signal-noise separation strategies. - Dr. Yukie Nagai (Professor, IRCN, UTokyo)
Explored cognitive development through Embodied Predictive Processing, showing how prediction error minimization accounts for both developmental continuity and diversity, with implications for understanding neurodiversity. - Dr. Shin Ishii (Professor, Kyoto University / IRCN)
Covered reinforcement learning in AI and the brain, from temporal-difference models to adversarial and model-based RL, highlighting parallels and distinctions with neural learning mechanisms. - Dr. Risto Miikkulainen (Professor, University of Texas at Austin)
Introduced neuroevolution as a computational approach to evolve neural networks under environmental constraints, providing insights into the emergence of intelligence and language.
After each lecture, active Q&A and discussions between participants and speakers created a highly engaging and positive atmosphere, fostering deeper understanding and collaborative exchange. Together, these lectures offered participants a comprehensive view of the state-of-the-art in neuro-inspired computation, linking fundamental neuroscience with advanced AI methodologies.
Poster Sessions & Breakout Discussions
Alongside lectures, 35 posters by selected participants lined the hallways, sparking lively exchanges and scholarly networking. For the first time, the program also introduced breakout sessions on two consecutive days (July 3 & 4), led by IRCN PI Chao together with AI Incubator-affiliated PIs, i.e., Drs. Takahashi, Nakajima, and Nakayama. Participants were divided into small groups to discuss key topics such as:
- Brain vs. Machine: similarities and differences
- Interdisciplinary communication challenges
- Emulating vs. abstracting the brain in engineering
- Language, cognition, and large models
- Core problems for neuro-inspired AI
- Defining intelligence: biological or artificial?
These interactive sessions encouraged critical dialogue and fostered community building. Outstanding posters were voted on by IRCN faculty and honored at the closing ceremony. A list of Poster Awardees can be found at the end of this article.
Networking & Cultural Exchange
Evening events immersed participants in Japanese culture, highlighted by an excursion to Asakusa and a traditional Yakatabune riverboat experience. These cultural exchanges enriched the international atmosphere and strengthened connections beyond academia.
Outcomes & Participant Feedback
The course was very positively received. Participants praised the course’s high academic caliber, rich interdisciplinary content, and the supportive environment provided by IRCN and the University of Tokyo. Many expressed enthusiasm for future programs and ongoing collaboration opportunities. In a post-course survey, nearly all respondents reported being satisfied or very satisfied, particularly appreciating the quality of lectures, opportunities for meaningful interaction, and the smooth organization of the event.
Optional Entrepreneurship Bootcamp
Entrepreneurship Bootcamp Program (PDF)
Complementing the main course, an entrepreneurship training workshop was held June 30–July 1 and July 7 in partnership with Corundum Convergence Institute. This program offered:
- Lectures and interactive sessions from startup founders, investors, and academic entrepreneurs
- Hands-on team building and pitch preparation with Harvard LPCE mentors
- Insights into deep-tech innovation in Japan and globally
Despite only brief acquaintances, participants impressively pitched original ideas on July 7. Director Hensch lauded this as an inspiring start, envisioning even more dynamic future editions.
Closing Remarks
The 2025 IRCN Neuro-inspired Computation Course successfully brought together a vibrant international community of researchers dedicated to exploring the frontiers of natural and artificial intelligence. Through its comprehensive program of lectures, discussions, poster sessions, and cultural exchange, the course fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and mutual understanding. Building on this strong foundation, IRCN looks forward to continuing to nurture the next generation of leaders in neurointelligence, advancing knowledge and technology that can positively impact society worldwide.
List of Poster Awardees:
Gao Xiang Ham (Singapore), Anna Villaume Stuckert (Denmark),
Waradon Phokhinanan (Thailand), Jianning Chen (China), Soufiane Jhilal (Morocco),
Saki Ichikawa (Japan), Laura-Marie Krumm (Germany)
(Report by Mika Oki, IRCN URA)
