• The Brain Simulation Section and Prof. Ritter featured in last ZDF WISO documentary

    • Petra Ritter
    • Interview
    • Video
    • ZDF WISO docu 2024 - Thumbnail Petra

    Tune in to ZDF WISO's latest documentary, "Future of Medicine - Can AI Cure? Opportunities and Risks for Medical Treatment," airing on May 13, 2024. Featuring Prof. Petra Ritter and our team at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, discover how AI is revolutionizing healthcare. Available in German only. Don't miss it!


    We are thrilled to announce that our research group has been featured in a science documentary by ZDF WISO titled "Future of Medicine - Can AI Cure? Opportunities and Risks for Medical Treatment".

    This documentary, which aired on May 13, 2024, is a detailed exploration of the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of medicine. Produced by Oliver Koytek, Norman Laryea, and Jovanna Weber, the program offers an in-depth look at how AI is revolutionizing patient care, diagnosis, and treatment.

    WISO is a well-respected platform that brings essential information to viewers about daily life, covering topics like consumption, leisure, work, and finance. The program is known for its well-researched, independent, and up-to-date content, both online and on television.

    Prof. Petra Ritter and Our Research Group’s Contribution

    Our segment in the documentary (from 38:30 min) highlights the pioneering work being done at the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Prof. Petra Ritter is leading the development of new AI systems designed to closely emulate human brain functions.
    As Prof. Ritter explains,

    "We study the brain because it is the blueprint for cognition and intelligence. We are making significant progress in identifying principles that we can transfer into AI algorithms to bring artificial intelligence closer to human intelligence."

    At Charité, our team conducts specialized investigations using magnetic impulses to trigger reflexes. The resulting data helps create "digital twins" of the human brain—AI models that respond to external stimuli similarly to actual human brains. This innovative approach allows us to simulate treatments for conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia, potentially testing medications and surgical interventions on digital models before applying them to patients.

    Prof. Ritter’s vision for the future of AI in medicine is both exciting and thought-provoking. She predicts that the line between artificial and human intelligence will continue to blur, leading to AI systems capable of making intelligent decisions and engaging in meaningful conversations, although the question of AI consciousness remains open.

    Watch the documentary

    The feature on ZDF WISO has been an incredible opportunity for our research group to showcase our contributions to the future of medicine. As we continue to push the boundaries of AI technology, we remain committed to ethical standards and patient-centric innovations that promise a new era of healthcare.

    Please note that the documentary is available only in German. We encourage everyone who understands German to watch the full documentary to gain deeper insights into how AI is set to transform medical practices and improve patient outcomes.