Intelligent Matter, Ancient Wisdom, and the Quantum Universe

Wilfred van der Wiel, coordinator of HYBRAIN, has been invited as a speaker at Intelligent Matter, Ancient Wisdom, and the Quantum Universe, an event that brings together science, history, and fundamental questions about how our world works.

The event explores ideas across scales and disciplines: from brain-inspired nanosystems that mimic the adaptability of the human brain, to ancient medical knowledge influencing modern health, and to the counterintuitive principles of quantum physics. Through accessible talks and open discussion, speakers offer fresh perspectives on the microscopic, the historical, and the cosmic.

Wilfred’s session, titled “Intelligent Matter”, focuses on how materials have evolved from passive tools into systems that can respond to their environment. His talk explores a key question at the heart of current research: can we create matter that adapts, learns, remembers, self-regulates, and ultimately displays forms of intelligence? Drawing on work on brain-inspired nanosystems, the session highlights the implications of intelligent matter for the future of information technology and computing.

The event offers a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research in an informal setting, where complex ideas are broken down and discussed across disciplines.