Neuromorphic Symposium 2025

Wilfred van der Wiel, coordinator of HYBRAIN, was invited to speak at the Neuromorphic Symposium 2025, a leading event dedicated to brain-inspired computing and next-generation AI hardware.

The symposium focuses on neuromorphic computing as a transformative technology that moves beyond the limits of conventional semiconductors, combining energy efficiency, adaptive intelligence, and strong potential for Edge AI applications.

On Day 1 (24 September), Wilfred took part in the European Innovation Council Projects session, where he presented HYBRAIN and its research on electronic–photonic architectures for brain-inspired computing. His talk addressed a central scientific challenge: creating matter that can learn, where behaviour depends not only on current inputs but also on past states. Such “intelligent matter” would feature long-term memory, autonomous interaction with the environment, and self-regulation.

The presentation highlighted experimental advances in so-called material learning, using disordered silicon-based nanoelectronic devices as reconfigurable nonlinear processing units. These approaches enable efficient pattern recognition, support hybrid strategies combining physical systems with neural network models, and extend learning directly into the material itself. Recent results also demonstrate highly efficient real-time processing of temporal signals, such as speech recognition, operating at room temperature.

The contribution positioned HYBRAIN at the forefront of neuromorphic and brain-inspired computing research, showing how novel electronic–photonic systems can open new directions for energy-efficient, adaptive AI hardware.