Cognitive Dynamic Systems Lab — Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology

The laboratory conducts research aimed at developing cognitive dynamic systems, a new class of intelligent systems capable of solving the problems and performing the tasks that have until now remained beyond the scope of artificial intelligence. Among them are symbolization, goal-setting, and distributing the roles in an ensemble of complex technical objects.

To create a subsystem for controlling an agent or a robotic system, cognitive dynamic systems rely on a combination of intelligent control and classical AI methods, as well as cognitive computer simulations based on psychologically and biologically plausible models.

This recently established lab is informed by a multidisciplinary approach and maintains a close contact both with specialists in cognitive psychology and neurophysiology, and with the industry. This means that students get to participate in research projects that involve solving a fundamental scientific problem but also applying the findings to meet the challenges faced by our industry partners. By doing research at the laboratory, it is thus possible to develop a new AI algorithm, publish a paper that describes it, and ultimately implement it to solve a real-life problem.

The laboratory operates on a project-based schedule. Namely, each researcher works in a certain project with specific goals and deadlines. This enables the lab to successfully combine theoretical and applied research and maximize the progress in terms of new knowledge, skills, and abilities.

The mentors of the laboratory are young researchers, for whom science is both a passion and a profession. They are not merely “teachers” providing instruction in a subject they once “learned,” but practicing researchers directly involved in many studies and projects in the field of artificial intelligence. It is these major projects that all student lab projects are attached to.

We welcome ambitious, proactive students. This means that you always get an opportunity to propose your own idea of a project, and we will discuss how it could be put into practice. The notion of being proactive implies that every researcher at the laboratory, and not the mentor, is expected to be the driver behind a project.