Research projects link neuroscience and AI to advance human health

 At the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and neuroscience is a mutually beneficial relationship with the potential to transform brain health, counter disease, and develop scientifically grounded AI technologies inspired by the versatility and depth of human intelligence.

For the first time, the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) at Stanford have partnered to award a combined $500,000 to four cross-disciplinary research teams who are reimagining how neuroscience and AI can work together to unlock new insights about the human brain in health and disease.

For example, one of the grantees under this program is working on a new approach to at-home stroke rehabilitation therapy, using robotics, brain-computer interface, virtual reality, and wireless technology. By introducing real-time feedback, the researchers believe the system will be able to engage more neural circuits in the patient’s brain and enhance physical therapy.

Other grantees are exploring applications of AI in restoring speech to people with paralysis and tracking the progression of Parkinson's Disease, while the fourth aims to understand the remarkable energy-efficient computational capacity of the human brain to inform next generation computer chips.

“Neuroscience and artificial intelligence have both seen rapid growth in recent years. Many areas of neuroscience will benefit from the infusion of AI,” said Kang Shen, Vincent V.C. Wu Director of the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, and Frank Lee and Carol Hall Professor of biology and of pathology. “We look forward to seeing these research teams pave the way for ethical advancements in human-inspired AI and its impact on understanding the development and function of the brain in health and disease.”

Proposals were selected based on their probability to make strong advances in both fields. “HAI and Wu Tsai Neuro share a commitment to funding proposals that make a persuasive case for how initial results will catalyze further support from internal and external stakeholders,” said James Landay, Stanford HAI Vice Director and Faculty Director of Research.

Sadly, one awardee, electrical engineering professor Krishna Shenoy, passed away in January. The science will go on, however, said co-PIs Zhenan Bao and Shaul Druckmann. "Krishna's longterm vision was to build brain computer interfaces to restore movement and communication to people with paralysis," said Druckmann. "We hope that by shedding light on how the brain controls the complex musculature underlying speech, our devices can contribute to making his vision a reality."