Cottbus-based Zander Laboratories secured a significant €30 million funding deal from the German government’s cybersecurity innovation agency.
Signed at Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU), this investment marks the EU’s largest single funding in AI research. The deal, finalized on 15 December, positions Zander Laboratories at the forefront of AI brain data research, outpacing four other competitors in the “Safe Neutral Human-Machine Interaction” tender.
Neuroadaptivity at the core
Zander’s winning project, “Neuroadaptivity for Autonomous Systems” (NAFAS), focuses on capturing and training AI using real-time brain data. This non-invasive approach contrasts sharply with the US’s invasive techniques, mainly aimed at medical applications. “This will revolutionise human-machine interaction,” said Thorsten Zander, highlighting the divergence in methodologies between the US and Europe. The German government’s Cyber Agency echoed this sentiment, praising Europe’s advancements in this field.
Urban transformation & AI rulebook
Cottbus city, represented by Markus Niggemann, Head of Financial Management, Economic Development and Social Affairs, lauded the startup for transforming the urban society into a future-oriented region. Meanwhile, the EU has been busy setting international standards in AI regulation. Just days before Zander’s funding announcement, the EU Council, Parliament, and Commission agreed on the AI Act on 8 December. This act is poised to become a global benchmark in AI regulation.
Revolution in human-machine interaction
Under NAFAS, researchers aim to categorize human mental reactions from brain signals, enabling machines to better interpret future reactions. “This will enable intuitive interaction between humans and machines,” Thorsten Zander explained. The funding will fuel the development of neurotechnological prototypes over the next four years, potentially enabling machines to read information directly from the brain, creating a new paradigm in information exchange and task completion.
Germany’s response to international AI standards
Germany’s response to these developments was articulated by German Digital Minister Volker Wissing. Speaking before the digital committee in the German parliament, Wissing recognized the AI Act’s potential to set worldwide AI regulation standards. While supportive, he also called for a balanced approach to regulation, avoiding overly stringent measures. Wissing also highlighted the G7 countries’ commitment in October to establish an AI Code of Conduct based on principles like risk prevention, AI-generated content labelling, and data protection. “This ‘Code of Conduct’ is right for acting uniformly internationally,” Wissing concluded, emphasizing the need for global collaboration in addressing AI’s security risks.
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