International conference in Berlin: BTU brings together interdisciplinary research on neuroadaptive AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is already shaping key areas of society, the economy and science, and is increasingly influencing how information is filtered and evaluated. AI has long since become more than just a technical tool – it influences how information is processed, decisions are made, and work and learning processes are designed. At this year’s Conference on Neuroadaptive Technologies (NAT’26) at the ABION Spreebogen Waterside Hotel in Berlin, 120 experts from nine countries will discuss, from Wednesday to Friday, 22 to 24 April 2026, how systems can be developed that respond more effectively to humans and take their cognitive states into account. The focus is on interdisciplinary exchange regarding current research findings and new approaches to the human-centred design of intelligent technologies. 

The conference is organised by researchers from the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) in the Chair of Lichtenbergprofessorship Neuroadaptive Human-Computer Interaction, led by Prof. Dr Thorsten O. Zander.  

“The conference highlights the strategic importance of neuroadaptive research for the future of Intelligent Systems,” says Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Hübner, BTU Vice-President for Research and Transfer. “It enhances the university’s international visibility and demonstrates that we are actively conducting research at the interface of AI and neuroscience and taking responsibility for shaping their societal impact.”

Artificial Intelligence and Humans

A central theme of NAT’26 is the question of how artificial intelligence can respond more effectively to human states in the future. This is not about reading minds, but about recognising mental states such as attention, overwhelm or uncertainty based on neurophysiological signals. The aim is context-sensitive AI that aligns interactions and decisions more closely with human needs.

This is precisely where Prof. Thorsten O. Zander’s scientific approach comes in: in future, passive brain-computer interfaces could enable systems not only to process content, but also to detect how this content is received by humans. Crucial to this is local data processing, so that no raw signals leave the system, but only interpreted states are transmitted – as the basis for greater data protection and privacy.

International relevance and social responsibility

NAT’26 brings together researchers, developers and representatives from academia, industry and politics, and sees itself as a platform for interdisciplinary exchange and the development of common guidelines for the responsible use of neuroadaptive technologies.

Against the backdrop of global developments, the conference addresses current international research approaches. Whilst invasive technologies are also being tested, in particular in the USA, European research deliberately focuses on non-invasive methods and high data protection standards.

The discussion focuses on:

• Protection of sensitive neurophysiological data
• Voluntary use
• Data sovereignty and control
• Regulatory frameworks for neuroadaptive technologies 

This brings into focus the question of how technological innovation and social responsibility can be reconciled.

“We don’t know what a person is thinking – but we can recognise how they process information,” explains Prof. Zander. “This capability opens up new perspectives for applications in education, medicine and the workplace: learning systems could recognise when a person is overwhelmed, assistance systems could adapt to cognitive strain, and therapies could be tailored more individually.”

Further conference topics:

• Real-time signal processing
• Supervised vs. unsupervised machine learning
• Passive brain-computer interfaces
• Explainable AI
• Neuroadaptive applications in real-world scenarios
• Hybrid AI systems for applied neuroscience
• Ethics and security of neuroadaptive systems
• Cloud-based data processing

Venue:
ABION Spreebogen Waterside Hotel Berlin
Alt-Moabit 99, 10559 Berlin