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Zappable · Apr 28, 2025 · 1 hr 29 min

Computational Neuroscience, Connectomics, and Consciousness

In this inaugural episode, Ariel sits down with Toviah Moldwin, PhD, to explore computational neuroscience. They discuss the similarities and differences between how biological brains and current AI models function and learn. They tackle the question of brain efficiency, particularly in language acquisition, debating the roles of innate biological structures versus learning from data, comparing it to the vast data needs of AI models. Next, Toviah provides an introduction to the field of connectomics – the detailed mapping of neural connections, and also discusses the complexity of single neurons. Finally, they discuss the hard problem of consciousness: can science explain it and can AI attain it?

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In this inaugural episode, Ariel sits down with Toviah Moldwin, PhD, to explore computational neuroscience. They discuss the similarities and differences between how biological brains and current AI models function and learn. They tackle the question of brain efficiency, particularly in language acquisition, debating the roles of innate biological structures versus learning from data, comparing it to the vast data needs of AI models. Next, Toviah provides an introduction to the field of connectomics – the detailed mapping of neural connections, and also discusses the complexity of single neurons. Finally, they discuss the hard problem of consciousness: can science explain it and can AI attain it?

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