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CfP: BEACON 2026 Workshop @ ICMI – Grounding Abstract Concepts in Multimodal Interaction (Deadline: July 2, 2026)

by xhdgary＠gmail.com

Dear All, we invite submissions to the BEACON 2026 Workshop (Beyond a Concrete: Grounding Abstract Concepts in Multimodal Interaction), Co-located with ICMI 2026 Multimodal systems have made strong progress in grounding concrete concepts (e.g., objects, actions), but abstract concepts (e.g., “tool,” “use,” “good”) remain poorly understood. Grounding these concepts requires integrating perception, language, action, and context and is essential for flexible, human-like interaction. This workshop focuses on computational and interactional mechanisms for grounding abstract concepts beyond concrete sensory inputs, bringing together work on multimodal representation learning, embodied and developmental models, robotics, and hybrid cognitive architectures. The workshop aims to consolidate approaches, datasets, and evaluation strategies for abstract concept grounding, identify shared modeling assumptions, and clarify open challenges. Topics of Interest We invite submissions on topics including, but not limited to: Grounding abstract concepts in multimodal interaction Hierarchical and developmental models of abstraction Cross-modal abstraction and alignment Embodied and interactive concept learning Multimodal action and goal representations Affective and contextual abstraction Embodied and interactive learning of abstract language Hybrid cognitive architectures for abstract grounding Evaluation methodologies for abstract concept grounding Multimodal datasets and benchmarks for abstract concepts Applications of abstract grounding in HCI and HRI Submission Details Short papers (4 pages) Full Papers (8 pages) Submit via OpenReview: https://openreview.net/group?id=ICMI/2026/Workshop/BEACON All accepted and presented papers will be included in the proceedings of the ACM ICMI 2026 workshop. Important Dates Submission: July 2, 2026 Notification: July 25, 2026 Camera-ready: July 31, 2026 Workshop: October 5 or 9, 2026 Website: https://beacon2026.github.io/ We welcome contributions from the multimodal interaction, AI, robotics, and cognitive science communities. For any questions or requests, please feel free to contact us (rahulsingh.maharjan(a)manchester.ac.uk) BEACON 2026 Organizers Rahul Singh Maharjan - University of Manchester (rahulsingh.maharjan(a)manchester.ac.uk) Haodong Xie - University of Manchester (haodong.xie(a)manchester.ac.uk) Niyati Rawal - IAIRO-BITS (niyati.rawal(a)iairo.ai) Luca Raggioli - University of Naples Federico II (luca.raggioli(a)unina.it) Angelo Cangelosi - University of Manchester (angelo.cangelosi(a)manchester.ac.uk)

April 12, 2026

New preprint: Consciousness as neural topology (hard problem, constitutive claim)

by arthur.stewart＠neuravexium.com arthur.stewart＠neuravexium.com

I would like to announce a new preprint on the neural substrate of consciousness. “What I Am Will Be? A Convergence A Topology of Neural Substrate, Structure, an Endomorphism: Consciousness Its Cells-Itself” Arthur Stewart (2026). Zenodo. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.19342121 https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19342121 The paper proposes that consciousness is constituted by synchronized flow across four neural loops, each operating on a distinct computational axis. The topology of the substrate (a four-node directed graph closing through endomorphism) is argued to generate the structural features philosophers associate with the hard problem: phenomenal immediacy, temporal presence, ownership, and qualitative character. These follow as consequences of the topology itself rather than requiring additional explanatory apparatus. The paper includes a systematic comparative critique of Global Neuronal Workspace, Integrated Information Theory, Thalamocortical Loop theory, and Predictive Processing/Free Energy Principle, identifying specific empirical and structural gaps in each. Eight discriminating predictions are offered that would distinguish this framework from existing accounts. The full paper is open access at the DOI above. Arthur Stewart

April 12, 2026

Call for Papers: ICIST 2026, Coimbra, Portugal, October 1-6, 2026. Submission Deadline: May 15, 2026

by Nian Ashlee Zhang

Following the success of previous events, the 16th International Conference on Information Science and Technology (ICIST 2026) will be held in Coimbra, Portugal, on October 1-6, 2026. Located between the two largest Portuguese cities, the conference site features a historic royal city with numerous historical buildings, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. ICIST2026 aims to provide a high-level international forum for scientists, engineers, and educators to present the state-of-the-art research and applications in neural networks and related fields. The symposium will feature plenary speeches given by world-renowned scholars, regular sessions with broad coverage, and special sessions focusing on popular topics. Technical Co-sponsor: IEEE Systems, Man and Cybernetics Society. Accepted papers will be included in the IEEE Xplore. When: October 1 - 6, 2026 (Coimbra, Portugal) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Important Dates: Paper submission deadline: May 15, 2026 Notification of acceptance: June 15, 2026 Camera-ready copy and author registration: July 15, 2026 Abstract submission deadline: September 15, 2026 Website: https://conference.cs.cityu.edu.hk/icist/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Call for Papers and Special Sessions Prospective authors are invited to contribute high-quality papers to ICIST2026. Additionally, proposals for special sessions within the technical scope of the conference are solicited. Special sessions, organized by internationally recognized experts, aim to bring together researchers in specialized, focused topics. Papers submitted for special sessions are peer-reviewed using the same criteria as those for contributed papers. Researchers interested in organizing special sessions are invited to submit formal proposals to ICIST2026. A special session proposal should include the session title, a brief description of the scope and motivation, names, contact information, and brief biographical information on the organizers. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Topic Areas: The topics of contributing papers include, but are not limited to, the following areas: Intelligent Control and Automation Autonomous systems, linear and nonlinear control, learning and adaptive control, intelligent control, optimization-based and optimal control, fault detection and identification, hybrid intelligent systems, networked control, fuzzy logic control, industrial automation, neural control, process control, robot control, mechatronic systems, environmental monitoring and control, intelligent manufacturing systems, microprocessor-based control, motor control, power systems, vehicle control, aerospace applications, and other applications. Intelligent Information Processing Machine learning, adaptive filtering, signal processing, audio/speech processing and coding, higher-order spectral analysis, nonlinear & blind signal processing, neural signal processing, component analysis, array signal processing, parallel and distributed processing, time series analysis, multimedia signal processing, design and implementation of signal processing systems, DSP implementations, embedded systems, image and multidimensional signal processing, image processing & understanding, computer vision & pattern recognition, bioimaging and signal processing, multimedia communications, computer vision & virtual reality, next-generation mobile communications, communication signal processing, modulation and channel coding, network coding, sensor networks, cryptography and information security, and other applications. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Paper Submission Authors are invited to submit full-length papers (8 pages maximum) by the submission deadline through the online submission system. Potential organizers are also invited to enlist five or more papers with cohesive topics to form special sessions. The submission of a paper implies that the paper is original and has not been submitted under review or is not copyright-protected elsewhere, and will be presented by an author if accepted. All submitted papers will be refereed by experts in the field based on the criteria of originality, significance, quality, and clarity. The authors of accepted papers will have the opportunity to revise their papers, taking into consideration the referees’ comments and suggestions. All accepted papers will be submitted for inclusion into IEEE Xplore, subject to meeting IEEE Xplore’s scope and quality requirements. Selected high-quality papers will be included in several journal special issues.

April 12, 2026

NEST Conference 2026 — Abstract Submission Deadline extended to 3 May

by Hans Ekkehard Plesser

Dear colleagues, The abstract submission deadline for the NEST Conference 2026 has been extended to Sunday, 3 May. We are inviting contributions to the conference, including talks, "posters" and workshops on specific topics. Do not miss out on contributing to this exciting event! The NEST Conference provides an opportunity for the NEST Community to meet, exchange success stories, swap advice, learn about current developments in and around NEST spiking network simulation and its application. Take the opportunity to advance your skills in using NEST at our hands-on workshops! This year's conference will again take place as a virtual conference on Tuesday/Wednesday 16/17 June 2026. We are delighted to welcome * Marja-Leena Linne, Tampere University * Maxime Carriere and Fynn Dobler, Freie Universität Berlin * Agnes Korcsak-Gorzo, Forschungszentrum Jülich * Pablo Martínez Cañada, University of Granada as keynote speakers at the conference. For more information on how to submit your contribution, register and participate, please visit the conference website: https://nest-simulator.org/conference We are looking forward to seeing you all in June! Hans Ekkehard Plesser and the conference organizing committee -- Prof. Dr. Hans Ekkehard Plesser Research Committee Chair, Faculty of Science and Technology Department of Data Science Faculty of Science and Technology Norwegian University of Life Sciences PO Box 5003, 1432 Aas, Norway Phone +47 6723 1560 Email hans.ekkehard.plesser(a)nmbu.no<mailto:hans.ekkehard.plesser@nmbu.no> Home http://arken.nmbu.no/~plesser

April 10, 2026

[ISCS 2026] Early Bird Ends April 20 — Register Now

by Hocine Cherifi

🚨 *Last Days for Early Bird Registration – **ISCS 2026 <https://iutdijon.u-bourgogne.fr/ccs-france/>* 📍 *La Rochelle, France* | 🗓 *June 03–05, 2026* 🗓 *Early Bird Deadline: April 20, 2026 (in 10 days)* Early bird registration for the *International Symposium on Complex Systems (**ISCS 2026 <https://iutdijon.u-bourgogne.fr/ccs-france/>)* is closing soon. Join an interdisciplinary community working at the intersection of *complex systems, networks, AI, social sciences, neuroscience, and data-driven approaches*. ------------------------------ 🎤 Keynote Speakers - Kay Axhausen — ETH Zürich - Johan Bollen — University of Amsterdam & Indiana University - Tiziana Di Matteo — King’s College London - Chiara Poletto — University of Padova ------------------------------ 🔬 Workshops - *AI & Complexity* — emergent intelligence and multi-agent dynamics 🔗 More information: https://iutdijon.u-bourgogne.fr/ccs-france/ ------------------------------ ✅ Register Now 👉 https://iutdijon.u-bourgogne.fr/ccs-france/registration/ Take advantage of *reduced rates until April 20*. We look forward to welcoming you to *La Rochelle*. The organization Team Join us at COMPLEX NETWORKS 2026 <https://www.complexnetworks.org/> *-------------------------* Hocine CHERIFI Laboratoire* I*nterdisciplinaire *C*arnot de *B*ourgogne - ICB UMR 6303 CNRS Université Bourgogne Europe Editor in Chief Plos Complex Systems <https://plos.org/complex-systems-research-journal/#:~:text=PLOS%20Complex%2….> Founding & Adisory Editor Applied Network Science <https://appliednetsci.springeropen.com/> Editorial Board member IEEE ACCESS <https://ieeeaccess.ieee.org/?http%3A%2F%2Fieeeaccess_ieee_org%2F>, Scientific Reports <https://www.nature.com/srep/>, Journal of Imaging <https://www.mdpi.com/journal/jimaging>, Quality and Quantity <https://www.springer.com/journal/11135/>, Computational Social Networks <https://computationalsocialnetworks.springeropen.com/>, Complex Systems <https://www.complex-systems.com/> Evolutionary Intelligence <https://link.springer.com/journal/12065>

April 10, 2026

Call for Participation: International Artificial Intelligence Summer School – IAISS 2026, Sept 20-24, Riva del Sole Resort & SPA @ Tuscany * Registration: by May 23 *

by ICAS Organizing Committee

* Apologies for multiple copies. Please forward to anybody who might be interested, thanks! * IAISS2026, A Residential Summer School in AI & Generative AI for Science and Engineering IAISS 2026 is a full-immersion 5-day Summer School in Tuscany on cutting-edge advances in AI and Generative AI with lectures delivered by world-renowned experts. Riva del Sole Resort & SPA @ Tuscany, Italy, Sept 20-24, 2026 https://2026.iaiss.cc iaiss(a)icas.cc LECTURERS: Each Lecturer will hold up to four lectures on one or more research topics. Stefano V. Albrecht, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Mikhail Belkin, University of California San Diego, USA Giuseppe De Giacomo, University of Oxford, UK Jamie Hayes, Google DeepMind, UK Sumi Helal, University of Bologna, Italy Marine Le Morvan, INRIA Saclay, France Bruno Lepri, FBK, Italy George Paliouras, National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens, Greece Panos Pardalos, University of Florida, USA More Lecturers TBA https://2026.iaiss.cc/lecturers/ https://2026.iaiss.cc/lectures/ REGISTRATION: by May 23 (AoE) https://2026.iaiss.cc/registration/ Applicant *may* submit (during the Registration Process) a research abstract (max 2 pages; any format) for presentation. School directors and the scientific committee will review the abstracts and will recommend for poster and/or short talk. Abstract can be submitted by May 23 during the registration process. PAST EDITIONS: https://2026.iaiss.cc/previous-editions/ IAISS Norbert Wiener Best Presentation Award in Artificial Intelligence: https://2026.iaiss.cc/best-presentation-award/ VENUE: https://2026.iaiss.cc/venue/ Riva del Sole Resort & SPA Località Riva del Sole‚ Castiglione della Pescaia (Grosseto) CAP 58043‚ Tuscany‚ Italy p: +39-0564-928111 e: booking.events(a)rivadelsole.it w: https://www.rivadelsole.it/en/ CERTIFICATE & 8 ECTS: The International Artificial Intelligence Summer School – IAISS 2026 is a full-immersion five-day Summer School at the Riva del Sole Resort & SPA (Castiglione della Pescaia – Grosseto – Tuscany, Italy) on cutting-edge advances in AI and Generative AI with lectures delivered by world-renowned experts. The Summer School provides a stimulating environment for PhD students, Post-Docs, junior academics (only up to assistant professors), early career researchers, and industry leaders (and highly motivated, promising and brilliant Master students / BSc students). Participants will also have the chance to present their results with talks, and to interact with their colleagues, in a convivial, professional and productive environment. PhD students, PostDocs, Industry Practitioners and Junior Academics (only up to assistant professors) will be typical profiles of the IAISS attendants. The Summer School will involve a total of 36–40 hours of lectures, according to the academic system the final achievement will be equivalent to 8 ECTS points for the PhD Students (and some strongly motivated Master Student – BSc Student) attending the Summer School. Language: English. To participate in the IAISS 2026, all attendants must (1/2) register for the school (by May 23, 2026) and (2/2) book accommodation at the school venue, “Riva del Sole Resort & SPA” (by July 23, 2026); all attendants must stay at the “Riva del Sole Resort & SPA”. Once accommodation has been booked at “Riva del Sole Resort & SPA“, the participant must send this information (including the Booking Number) to the IAISS organizing committee (iaiss(a)icas.cc) IAISS is a residential school, so all lecturers and participants must reside in the same Hotel (Riva del Sole Resort & SPA). No exceptions are made. For privacy reasons, the Hotel cannot match people. If you have someone to share the apartment with, please send to the Hotel ( booking.events(a)rivadelsole.it ) the name, surname and email address. Otherwise the solution is to book an apartment in single use. IAISS is organized as a non-profit scientific event. Please note that only IAISS registered participants can book a room (in hotel or apartment) at the Riva del Sole Resort & SPA with the accommodation form attached in the registration email and with the IAISS Discounted Rates. The Booking Office of the Riva del Sole Resort & SPA will verify the names of the participants and the corresponding registration number to confirm the booking. Anyone interested in participating in IAISS 2026 should register as soon as possible: https://2026.iaiss.cc/registration/ See you in Riva del Sole in September! IAISS 2026 Organizing Committees. https://2026.iaiss.cc iaiss(a)icas.cc Obviously, this is only a Call for Participation, to have complete and updated information we recommend you access the relevant website: https://2026.iaiss.cc the News Section: https://2026.iaiss.cc/category/news/ and the FAQ: https://2026.iaiss.cc/faq/ * Apologies for multiple copies. Please forward to anybody who might be interested, thanks! *

April 10, 2026

Open Brain Institute Webinar # 2: Spines and Motif Participation

by Darshan Mandge

Dear colleagues, Following our first webinar<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSl16e9B7qY> on disease modelling, we are pleased to invite you to the second Open Brain Institute<https://www.openbraininstitute.org/> webinar: Topic: Spines and Motif Participation Speaker: Dr. Michael Reimann<https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-w-reimann/> Date: Wednesday, April 29 Time: 13:30–14:30 (CET) Registration: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/286e8e3d-222e-4f89-bdb4-b0adc75653… Abstract Most excitatory synaptic connections in cortical circuits are formed on dendritic spines. Beyond their established role in synaptic plasticity, spines have been hypothesized to contribute to the formation of connectivity by enabling dendrites to contact more distant axons. This raises the possibility of a direct relationship between local network topology and spine morphology at the level of individual neurons. Understanding this relationship is central to explaining how structured, non-random connectivity emerges in cortical microcircuits. In this webinar, we will investigate this hypothesis using electron microscopy data from the MICrONS project within the Open Brain Institute Virtual Labs framework. Specifically, we will: * Analyze the MICrONS connectome using adjacency matrices and Python-based motif detection methods * Identify neurons with high participation in specific connectivity motifs * Reconstruct neuronal morphology using OBI skeletonization and spine extraction tools * Quantify spine density and morphology in relation to motif participation We will test the following hypotheses: * Neuronal participation in motifs is correlated with spine density * Synaptic participation in motifs is correlated with spine size This workflow provides a concrete connectomics pipeline linking network structure to synaptic anatomy. Finally, we will outline a follow-up study leveraging Virtual Labs for biophysical simulations of the reconstructed neurons, enabling investigation of how motif participation and spine structure influence synaptic integration. We hope you will join us for this session. Best Wishes, Darshan Mandge, PhD Scientist, Open Brain Institute, Lausanne, Switzerland 1005 https://www.openbraininstitute.org/ https://ch.linkedin.com/company/openbraininstitute

April 10, 2026

Full-time research assistant position in computational modeling of brain MRI

by Z S

Dr. Sha’s lab (https://shazhiqiang.wixsite.com/sha-lab) at the University of South Carolina is seeking *a full-time Research Assistant (computation-focused)*. Our lab is affiliated with the Carolina Autism & Neurodevelopment Center, the Institute for Mind & Brain, and working closely with the McCausland Center for Brain Imaging in Columbia, the center of SC Metropolitan Statistical Area. Our lab explores the mechanisms of atypical brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorders) by leveraging computation modeling to bridge neural circuitry, exposure (e.g., early life adversity) and psychopathological phenotypes, and treatment outcomes. These innovative projects will leverage state-of-the-art computational models and deep learning algorithms, supported by the Brain Imaging Center (with 3T and high-field 7T MRI scanners) and the Biobehavioral Research Center. This position provides an excellent opportunity for a motivated student to gain hands-on experience with neuroimaging (e.g., MRI) and computational modeling (e.g., deep learning models), making it ideal preparation for a future graduate or medical career. Research Assistant will be actively involved in the scientific process and are encouraged to contribute meaningfully to publications. We fully support research assistants in leading first-author publications and presenting their work at international conferences. Duties: · Computational modeling, construct deep learning models · MRI data processing, analysis; present results and publish papers · Manage daily administrative operations of the lab (e.g., scheduling and communication) Requirements: · Bachelor’s degree in a relevant science (e.g., computational neuroscience, math, data science, engineering, biostatistics, biomedical engineering and etc.) · Experience with clinical and MRI data collection and data analysis. Candidates with coding experience are preferred.

April 9, 2026

1 postdoctoral position on NeuroAI available at the Institute for Neural Computation in Bochum, Germany

by xkobeleva＠gmail.com

Dear all, I'm happy to announce a postdoctoral position on NeuroAI in our Computational Neurology lab located at the Institute for Neural Computation <https://www.ini.rub.de/> https://www.ini.rub.de/ and Bernstein Node Bochum at Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany. Our group works at the interface of clinical neuroscience (neurostimulation and neurodegenerative diseases) and computational neuroscience (whole-brain network neural mass modeling, parameter inference, control theory), with a strong focus on translational research that connects computational methods to real-world clinical data and patient-oriented questions. Our team is young, motivated, international, and genuinely interdisciplinary, bringing together expertise from medicine, neuroscience, psychology, and quantitative sciences. We invite applications for a postdoctoral associate starting in Summer 2026 working on NeuroAI techniques, with a quantitative background and experience in interdisciplinary neuroscience research. Details can be found here: <https://www.ini.rub.de/the_institute/jobs/postdoctoral_position_80-100_fmd_ in_computational_neurology_1/> https://www.ini.rub.de/the_institute/jobs/postdoctoral_position_80-100_fmd_i n_computational_neurology_1/ , and if you have inquiries regarding the position, please reach out to me: <https://computationalneurology.com> https://computationalneurology.com via email. Feel free to forward to anyone who might be interested. Best regards Prof. Dr. Xenia Kobeleva

April 9, 2026

Project Research Scientist Position at IIT Ropar.

by Sukrit Gupta

Dear all, we are hiring a Project Research Scientist (Non Medical) at IIT Ropar for an ICMR project. Our lab does work with clinicians at multiple public hospitals in North India and this project is in collaboration with clinicians at PGIMER, Chandigarh. The project is funded for five years. We are looking for someone with a solid computer science and/or AI background. Detailed advertisement at https://iitrpr.ac.in/mainwebsite-api/uploads/advertisements/projects/177488… To apply, you can fill the form at: https://forms.gle/BCRp5w3mggLQw5K9A The selected candidate will be expected to enroll for a PhD at IIT Ropar. If you're interested you can drop me an email at sukrit(a)iitrpr.ac.in <sukrit.gupta(a)iitrpr.ac.in> Deadline for application is: 14 April, 2026. Regards, Sukrit ________________ Sukrit Gupta, BEng (CS, PEC, India), PhD (CS, NTU, Singapore) W: https://sites.google.com/site/sukritsite God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

April 9, 2026