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BI 245 Dan Levenstein: Neuro-AI, Dynamics, and Model Systems

Brain Inspired2 September 2026Watch on YouTube

What you'll learn

  • You learn how spontaneous neural activity during sleep in areas like the hippocampus and cortex relates to learning, memory and navigation.
  • You discover how Dan Levenstein uses AI models to simulate brain processes and compare their dynamics and functions with real brains.
  • You gain insight into spiking neural networks and the comparison between transformers and biological brains.
  • You hear about the shift from experimental research with brain recordings to building theoretical models.
  • You learn about the challenges of starting your own lab as an early principal investigator.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Dan Levenstein and what does he research?
Dan Levenstein heads the NeuroAI and Dynamics Lab at Yale University. He studies spontaneous neural activity during sleep and uses AI models to understand learning, memory and navigation in the brain.
What does Levenstein research about sleep and brain activity?
He studies spontaneous, internally generated neural activity during sleep in brain areas like the hippocampus and cortex, and how this activity relates to learning, memory and navigation.
In what ways does Levenstein combine neuroscience with AI?
He builds and studies models of brain processes with AI, such as spiking neural networks, and compares their dynamics and functions with what is observed in real brains, including the comparison between transformers and brains.
What does Levenstein say about the transition from experimental to theoretical work?
He used to study learning and navigation directly through experimental brain recording datasets. These days he focuses on building and studying models of those processes using AI.

Topics

neuro-aineurowetenschapai-modellenslaappodcast

Description from the channel

Show notes: https://braininspired.co/podcast/245/ Patreon (full episodes, archive, Discord, more): https://www.patreon.com/braininspired Apple podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/brain-inspired/id1428880766?mt=2 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2UZj8c8Ap5oc2gh2rJxLLe Music by @dunovank The Transmitter is an online publication that aims to deliver useful information, insights and tools to build bridges across neuroscience and advance research. Visit thetransmitter.org to explore the latest neuroscience news and perspectives, written by journalists and scientists. Read more about our partnership: https://www.thetransmitter.org/partners/ Sign up for the “Brain Inspired” email alerts to be notified every time a new “Brain Inspired” episode is released: https://www.thetransmitter.org/newsletters/ To explore more neuroscience news and perspectives, visit thetransmitter.org. Daniel Levenstein started his NeuroAI and Dynamics Lab at Yale University about a year ago. We briefly discuss what it's like to transition from a postdoc to a principle investigator, i.e. head of the lab. But most mostly we discuss his work and ideas. Dan studies spontaneous neural activity during sleep, specially in brain areas like hippocampus and cortex, and how this internally generated spontaneous activity is related to learning and memory and navigation. Really, he used to study those processes directly through experimental brain recording datasets. These days he builds and studies models of those processes, using AI models and seeing how their dynamics and functions match what we see in brains. 0:00 - Intro 9:12 - Neuro-AI 18:23 - Experiment vs theory 20:36 - Ground vs active state neuron activity 25:38 - Beginning a lab 31:34 - Sleep and Internally generated activity 40:02 - Spiking neural networks 52:13 - Naturalistic neuro-AI 59:52 - Cognitive maps, world models 1:04:16 - Weasel words and motifs 1:08:17 - Transformers and brains 1:18:53 - AI vs biology 1:24:32 - Neuroscience theory