{"id":431,"date":"2023-05-10T16:00:22","date_gmt":"2023-05-10T16:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/130.15.106.185\/?p=431"},"modified":"2025-07-28T15:08:42","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T15:08:42","slug":"connected-minds-project-seeks-to-guide-responsible-tech-innovation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cmblog.neuroscience.queensu.ca\/connected-minds-project-seeks-to-guide-responsible-tech-innovation","title":{"rendered":"Connected Minds project seeks to guide responsible tech innovation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Posted originally Mar 10, 2023 \u2013\u00a0https:\/\/www.queensu.ca\/gazette\/stories\/connected-minds-project-seeks-guide-responsible-tech-innovation<\/a>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Queen\u2019s computational neuroscientist discusses major, new research into the human-technology relationship and its potential benefits and risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Government of Canada announced new funding<\/a> recently in support of a major, new multidisciplinary research initiative being led by York University and supported by Queen\u2019s. The seven-year project \u2013 called Connected Minds: Neural and Machine Systems for a Healthy, Just Society <\/em>\u2013 received over $105 million from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF)<\/em> to assess the potential risks and benefits of technology for humanity. Queen\u2019s is set to receive $22.8 million of the federal funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading the Queen\u2019s portion of the project is Connected Minds\u2019<\/em> Vice-Director, Gunnar Blohm, a computational neuroscientist with the university\u2019s Centre for Neuroscience Studies<\/a>. He\u2019s set to contribute administrative, teaching, and research expertise to the venture, which seeks to explore the ever-deepening relationship between humans and disruptive technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn my field of study, we create mathematical models, use artificial intelligence, and design computer simulations to gain insights into the mechanics of brain function and motor control,\u201d says Dr. Blohm. \u201cWithin this project, I\u2019m particularly excited to look at the emerging behaviours of networks, whether these are networks of neurons within the human brain, networks of people, or networks between people and technological devices. Insights we gain here could help us understand how to improve technology for the benefit of society while limiting its potential for harm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate one way Connected Minds<\/em> could inform more thoughtful technological development, Dr. Blohm points to Canada\u2019s signing of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development\u2019s (OECD) Recommendation on Responsible Innovation in Neurotechnology<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhile Canada is a signatory of this agreement, we currently have no guidelines to instruct how we would achieve its goals,\u201d he says. \u201cThe Queen\u2019s Connected Minds<\/em> team will work toward establishing such guidelines, as they will be crucial in ensuring technological development is done in service of a diverse and equitable global society. It makes good economic sense as well, given that socially responsible technologies are more and more commercially attractive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building the project from the ground up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to his research responsibilities, Dr. Blohm is set to coordinate and administer Queen\u2019s-based activities \u2013 which span the governance, outreach, and commercialization aspects of the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cQueen\u2019s will be fully integrated into Connected Minds<\/em> at all levels, and our participating faculty researchers complement York\u2019s team with expertise in neuroscience, artificial intelligence, robotics, and neurotechnology, particularly that with a health focus,\u201d he says. \u201cAs part of phase one, we\u2019ve created co-leadership roles at all levels of the project, convened a joint York-Queen\u2019s Indigenous advisory circle, and now we are working to establish the administrative structure, which includes striking committees, drafting terms of reference, and recruiting new faculty and staff.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the CFREF investment the project will engage more than 50 community partners and research collaborators, that will see institutional and multi-sector contributions that bring the overall investment in the project to $318.4 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/
Gunnar Blohm speaks with Fran\u00e7ois-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, following the CFREF announcement. (Supplied Photo) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Multidisciplinary collaboration and learning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once underway, Dr. Blohm sees the multidisciplinary nature of the project as pivotal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo breakthrough today is achieved by single people. It\u2019s always teams \u2013 always fields of research working together,\u201d he says. \u201cConnected Minds<\/em> will be a tremendous way for investigators and students to take research to the next level.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CFREF funding has allowed Queen\u2019s to commit to hiring nine tenure-track faculty positions and support for 50 graduate trainees and 27 postdoctoral fellows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere will be a range of opportunities for the wider Queen\u2019s community to get involved,” says Dr. Blohm. \u201cThese include trainee funding, large group grants, commercialization funds, and educational initiatives. It\u2019s truly an exciting time for Queen\u2019s, for York, and for Canada.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a passionate educator, he sees Connected Minds<\/em> changing the way we innovate, teach, and live, and is determined that these changes help not only Canadians, but everyone around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne of my goals is to democratize access to knowledge and education,\u201d says Dr. Blohm, who co-created Neuromatch Academy <\/em>\u2013 a worldwide training program that provides equitable access to computational neuroscience training to students regardless of geography, nationality, socioeconomic status, or other factors. \u201cConnected Minds <\/em>has partnered with Neuromatch <\/em>on elements of this project, which I believe will accelerate our initiatives to expand access to learning.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Gunnar Blohm, a professor and researcher at the Centre for Neuroscience Studies, is leading the Queen\u2019s portion of the Connected Minds project. 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