Digital twin brain: a bridge between biological intelligence and artificial intelligence

Abstract

In recent years, advances in neuroscience and artificial intelligence have paved the way for unprecedented opportunities to understand the complexity of the brain and its emulation using computational systems. Cutting-edge advancements in neuroscience research have revealed the intricate relationship between brain structure and function, and the success of artificial neural networks has highlighted the importance of network architecture. It is now time to bring these together to better understand how intelligence emerges from the multiscale repositories in the brain. In this Perspective, we propose the Digital Twin Brain (DTB)—a transformative platform that bridges the gap between biological and artificial intelligence. It comprises three core elements: the brain structure, which is fundamental to the twinning process, bottom-layer models for generating brain functions, and its wide spectrum of applications. Crucially, brain atlases provide a vital constraint that preserves the brain’s network organization within the DTB. Furthermore, we highlight open questions that invite joint efforts from interdisciplinary fields and emphasize the far-reaching implications of the DTB. The DTB can offer unprecedented insights into the emergence of intelligence and neurological disorders, holds tremendous promise for advancing our understanding of both biological and artificial intelligence, and ultimately can propel the development of artificial general intelligence and facilitate precision mental healthcare.