Faculty Advisor: Postdoctoral Fellow, Computational Cognitive Neuroscience, Brown University

Program Start Time: TBD (meetings will take place for around one hour per week)

Research Practicum Introduction

How “human” is an artificial intelligence? Do AI machines truly work like human brains? Do we even understand exactly how humans work, or can AI help us learn more about our own brains? 

This program explores how the biological and computational aspects of neuroscience influence the construction of artificial intelligence, and how, in turn, studying AI can teach us more about human brains. Students will learn how the brain works to determine behavior, from basic anatomy (neurons and electrical signals) to communication among brain areas (from sensory perception areas to higher-order executive areas). Students will also learn how artificial intelligences work, and what they can and can’t do when compared to human brains.

This program is designed for anyone who wants to better understand the link between brains and AI and the similarities and differences between humans and (current) AI machines. Weekly meetings will consist of short lectures, interactive discussion and group exercises, and brief quizzes.

For the final project, students will learn how to conduct literature research on a topic of interest, selecting and evaluating sources and synthesizing information to propose new research directions. They will also learn to organize and present a brief (5-7 minutes) oral presentation to peers.

Project Topics

• The anatomy of a simple choice: how do the different parts of our brain work together to help us make decisions?

• What can a human brain do that AI still can’t do?

• Building a fully artificial brain: current options and challenges

• The frontiers of AI: what can AI currently do, and how can it help improve our world?

• The benefits and risks of using AI to make decisions for us

• Learning to speak: do human brains and AI learn language in the same way?

• The modern Turing test: how can we tell if we’re dealing with a human brain or a machine?

Program Detail

• Cohort Size: 3-5 students

• Duration: 12 weeks

• Workload: Around 4-5 hours per week (including class time and homework time)

• Target Students: 9-12th grade students interested in Brain Sciences, Computer Science, AI and/or Machine Learning.

• Prerequisites: Students should have a basic understanding of biology and computer science.