International Research Center for Neurointelligence (IRCN)
The International Research Center for Neurointelligence (IRCN) is an international research center selected in 2017 by the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI) program launched by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).
By bringing together the world's top-level researchers at the University of Tokyo’s Hongo Campus and pursuing the creative integration of life science, medicine, linguistics, mathematical science, and information science, ICRN seeks to advance our understanding of how human intelligence develops from the standpoint of the brain's neural development.
Moreover, by seeking a common foundation for understanding human intelligence and artificial intelligence, we are setting out to explore humanity’s greatest frontier – namely, the question of whether the human brain can truly understand itself.
IRCN WebsiteAppeal for Donations
The IRCN currently operates out of the Faculty of Medicine Building 1 (built in 1931), which serves as the main base for its activities. Through the elucidation of the basic principles of neural circuit development, as well as of the pathophysiology of mental disorders arising due to abnormalities therein, our research seeks to deepen our understanding of human intelligence and to develop a new form of artificial intelligence that is based on the developmental and operating principles of neural circuits in the brain. In the future, we plan to integrate knowledge from the humanities and social sciences to contribute to solving the problems facing human society from a deeper understanding of human intelligence.
IRCN has already produced several breakthrough fusion insights, while stimulating globalization, diversity and inclusion at UTokyo. Launched as a prestigious government-funded World Premier International (WPI) center, we now aspire to become a permanent Institute in service to society more broadly. Can the human brain understand itself well enough to mend or mimic? Let’s find out together by supporting our unique new field of Neurointelligence!
Project Leader
Takao Hensch
Director, International Research Center for Neurointelligence (IRCN)
The University of Tokyo
