🧠 Virtual Brain Network Predicts Neuron Behavior

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In today's email

1. 🤖 What can good data do for you?

2. 🧠 Virtual Brain Network Predicts Neuron Behavior

3. 🚪 Sam Altman Exits OpenAI’s Safety Oversight Commission

4. 🤯  Quick Takes

Read Time: 5 Minutes

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In the Know​

Virtual Brain Network Predicts Neuron Behavior

Scientists have developed a virtual brain model based on a fruit fly’s visual system that predicts the behavior of individual neurons in a living brain. This innovative model enables researchers to test hypotheses in a virtual environment before conducting lengthy experiments on live animals.

Key Points

• The model is built on the fruit fly's brain, specifically focusing on its visual system.

• The approach allows scientists to predict how neurons respond to stimuli, reducing the need for time-consuming animal experiments.

• This research, published in Nature, highlights that energy-efficient brain processes in small organisms like fruit flies could inspire more power-efficient AI systems.

• The model was created using maps of the fruit fly brain, detailing each neuron and its connections, forming a "connectome" that guides information flow.

• The artificial network was trained by showing it video clips and comparing the predicted neuron responses with real fly neuron behavior.

• Future improvements aim to extend beyond motion detection and cover more complex brain functions.

This virtual brain network is a powerful tool for advancing neuroscience and improving AI systems by mimicking the energy-efficient computations of a fruit fly’s brain. It offers a new avenue for understanding brain activity and has the potential to revolutionize both brain science and AI development.

Sam Altman Exits OpenAI’s Safety Oversight Commission

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is stepping down from the Safety and Security Committee, an internal commission overseeing critical safety decisions at OpenAI. The committee will now operate as an independent oversight board led by Carnegie Mellon professor Zico Kolter and include other prominent figures like Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo. The committee will maintain authority to delay AI model releases until safety concerns are addressed. Altman’s departure follows increasing scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers and criticisms of OpenAI’s approach to AI safety and governance.

Quick Takes

• Salesforce Ventures Launches New $500M AI Fund: Salesforce Ventures has announced a new $500 million fund for AI companies, bringing its total AI investment to $1 billion. This move strengthens San Francisco's position as a hub for AI startups, with notable investments in companies like Anthropic and Hugging Face.

• AI Startup 11x.ai Raises $24M to Expand Digital Workforce: AI automation startup 11x.ai secured $24 million in a Series A led by Benchmark, aiming to grow its "digital workers" that handle repetitive tasks. Originally founded in London, the company has relocated to San Francisco and counts Brex and Otter among its customers.

That’s all for Today!

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