Brain and Computation

西蒙斯计算理论研究所将在加州大学伯克利分校组织三次研讨会，作为西蒙斯研究所大脑与计算项目的一部分。大脑和计算机之间的概念亲和力可以追溯到20世纪中叶，当时这两个领域的先驱理论家(冯·诺伊曼、图灵、麦卡洛克、皮茨、巴洛)开始利用他们在另一个领域的兴趣来更好地了解自己。在过去的几十年里，这两个领域在新知识、新方法和新声望方面都取得了爆炸性的进展。但随着它们变得更加技术性和尖端，它们之间的差距也越来越大。这些研讨会的目的是重新点燃这两个领域之间的亲和力，认识到在统一的研究努力中可以实现的巨大潜力。他们将汇集脑科学和理论计算机科学领域的杰出研究人员，以解决脑科学中一些特别需要共同审查和合作的最重要的当前问题：神经电路中的表示、编码和计算；大脑数据中的定向发现；以及大脑的计算理论。三个工作坊都将汇聚一批脑科学和理论计算机科学领域的杰出研究人员。这些讲习班将向所有潜在的参与者开放，并将向公众分发演讲的录像带，以供评论和参与。主办方将欢迎学生参加研讨会，并将积极招募来自不同背景的科学家参加。

The Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing will organize three workshops at UC Berkeley as part of the Simons Institute program on The Brain and Computation. The conceptual affinity between the brain and the computer dates back to the mid-20th century, as the pioneering theoreticians of both fields (von Neumann, Turing, McCulloch, Pitts, Barlow) were beginning to leverage their interests in the other field to gain a better understanding of their own. Both fields have exploded in the past decades in terms of new knowledge, methodology, and prestige. But as they have become more technical and sophisticated, they have also grown further apart. These workshops aim to rekindle the affinity between these two fields, recognizing the enormous potential for what could be achieved in a unified research effort. They will bring together groups of outstanding researchers in both Brain Science and Theoretical Computer Science to attack some of the most important current problems in Brain Science that particularly require joint scrutiny and collaboration: Representation, Coding, and Computation in Neural Circuits; Targeted Discovery in Brain Data; and Computational Theories of the Brain. Each of the three workshops will bring together a group of outstanding researchers in both Brain Science and Theoretical Computer Science. These workshops will be open to all potential participants, and video recordings of presentations will be distributed to the public for comment and engagement. The organizers will welcome students to attend the workshop, and will actively recruit scientists from a diversity of backgrounds to participate.