What can Deep Learning teach us about the Brain? What can Artificial
Intelligence in Neural Networks teach us about the functioning of
Natural Intelligence in Brains? What can Computational Neuroscience
teach us about the functioning of Artificial Intelligence in Neural
Networks? Do the mechanisms of Artificial Intelligence in deep
networks serve as a framework for the investigation of Natural
Intelligence in evolved brains?
Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) have revolutionized Machine Learning and
Artificial Intelligence. These networks have recently found their
way back into computational neuroscience. DNNs reach human-level
performance in certain tasks. Importantly, DNNs can display certain
characteristics of brain function that cannot be captured with
shallow handcrafted models. With this, DNNs offer an intriguing
novel framework that may enable computational neuroscientists to
address fundamental questions concerning complexity and neural
computation in brains. In this course we will evaluate the
tantalizing hypothesis that DNNs can serve as a tool to understand
aspects of brain function, thus moving closer towards an
understanding of both, natural and artificial intelligence.
The course will be organized around key papers illustrating major
ideas of DNNs and computational neuroscience. Background material
will be provided.
Course Attributes: BU SCI; AS NSM
