Neuroscience heavyweights debate whether brain foundation models can actually explain the brain
patrickmineault · x · 2026-11-12
A Dual Perspectives article in J Neurosci features Bing Wen Brunton and Patrick Mineault debating whether foundation models that predict brain activity can also explain how the brain works, and whether that requires modeling the body. Meta, Stanford, and Neuralink have all released or begun building brain foundation models this year, betting tens of millions on the LLM-style approach. Proponents see models standing in for animals in stimulus/treatment tests; skeptics argue prediction isn't explanation. The two will continue the debate live at SFN in Washington, D.C. on Nov 15.
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