RESEARCH NEWS
Brain-inspired AI to plan and problem solve
The capabilities of large AI systems are constantly improving, but they consume a lot of energy during training and operation. The human brain, in contrast, is extremely energyefficient; requiring around 20 watts.
Researchers at Graz University of Technology in Austria, with international partners, have developed a novel, brain-inspired AI model that can plan flexibly and solve complex problems. It consumes significantly less energy than multi-layer neural networks or large language models, they told ISMR.
“ The brain works in a completely different way to today’ s AI systems,” explained Wolfgang Maass from the Institute of Machine Learning and Neural Computation at Graz University of Technology.“ We are trying to translate the way it works into algorithms and apply them to AI systems.”
Inspired by neuroscientific studies of the hippocampus, Wolfgang Maass and his colleague Yukun Yang have identified three mechanisms that the human brain employs in planning and problem-solving:
■ The creation of cognitive maps.
■ Stochastic neural computations i. e.
Image: @ Lunghammer- TU Graz.
Wolfgang Maass from the Institute of Machine Learning and Neural Computation at Graz University of Technology.
the ongoing generation of hypothetical scenarios and predictions.
■ Compositional coding i. e. the breakdown of information and action plans into reusable components.
The translation of these mechanisms into algorithms enables the Graz-based AI model, much like humans or animals, to conceive and test possible approaches to solving complex problems without completely calculating them all the way to a solution.
“ If a randomly selected intermediate step points towards the intended goal, here, the cognitive map guides the system – this path is pursued. At its new position, the system again evaluates various options for action, thereby gradually getting closer to the goal. With this approach, our AI model can also react flexibly to changed or new situations without needing to be retrained,” confirmed the researchers.
They have successfully tested the capabilities of their brain-inspired AI using three tasks: navigating a two-dimensional space, orienting itself in an abstract, multidimensional space, and assembling and disassembling a silhouette made up of various building blocks. They emphasise that their approach is not intended to rival today’ s large language models but provides the basis for an alternative approach for certain applications.
“ We are still at a relatively early stage of development,” said Wolfgang Maass.“ But our work shows that powerful AI does not necessarily require huge data centres and enormous amounts of energy.”
In the long term, such brain-inspired systems could be used in robots, autonomous vehicles or other edge devices. The current study was conducted in collaboration with Tsinghua University and the National Research Council of Italy. n
www. tugraz. at / en
Scaling UOW clean energy innovation
The University of Wollongong( UOW) in Australia has congratulated Hysata on receiving up to A $ 49 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency( ARENA) to establish a commercial-scale manufacturing line for its UOW-developed electrolyser technology at Port Kembla.
The A $ 98 million project will establish a 50 megawatt per annum manufacturing line, with capacity to scale to 200 megawatts per annum as demand grows. The project is expected to create around 40 new manufacturing, engineering and technical jobs in the Illawarra.
UOW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor G. Q., Max Lu AO, said that the investment was an important milestone in the journey from university research to Australian-made, clean energy technology.
“ Hysata’ s electrolyser started as research in UOW laboratories, and it will now be manufactured at commercial scale a few kilometres down the road at Port Kembla... I congratulate the Hysata team on this investment, and I thank Minister Chris Bowen, Minister Tim Ayres and the Member
Dr. Paul Barret, CEO, and Dr. Gerry Swiegers, CTO at Hysata.
for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes, for backing innovation and advanced manufacturing in the Illawarra,” he said.
“ Around 40 skilled jobs will be created here. Discoveries like this take years of patient investment in fundamental research— and partners willing to build on it. Today shows why they both matter,” he continued.
Developed from research originating at UOW, Hysata’ s capillary-fed electrolyser technology is designed to produce renewable hydrogen using less electricity than conventional electrolysers. Applications include steelmaking, shipping and transport.
The Port Kembla project will also include early commercial-scale electrolyser deployments and local manufacturing of key components, including membranes, anodes and cathodes. Hysata expects to spend A $ 20-30 million each year with Australian suppliers, supporting the development of a regional clean technology manufacturing ecosystem. UOW will work with Hysata and TAFE NSW Illawarra on training, internships and skills development pathways to help build the local workforce required to support the clean energy transition.
The funding is being provided through ARENA’ s‘ Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund’, with Hysata matching the A $ 49- million grant through private capital. Hysata’ s technology was developed from research at UOW and has subsequently progressed through commercialisation and investment to become a globally focused clean technology company. n
www. uow. edu. au /
32 | ismr. net | ISMR October 2026