Alzheimer’s disease and other memory disorders in the age of AI: reflection and perspectives on the 120th anniversary of the birth of Dr. John von Neumann

Two themes are coming to the forefront in this decade: Cognitive impairment of an aging population and the quantum leap in developing artificial intelligence (AI). Both can be described as growing exponentially and presenting serious challenges. Although many questions have been addressed about the dangers of AI, we want to go beyond the fearful aspects of this topic and focus on the possible contribution of AI to solve the problem of chronic disorders of the elderly leading to cognitive impairment, like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Lewy body dementia. Our second goal is to look at the ways in which modern neuroscience can influence the future design of computers and the development of AI. We wish to honor the memory of Dr. John von Neumann, who came up with many breakthrough details of the first electronic computer. Remarkably, Dr. von Neumann dedicated his last book to the comparison of the human brain and the computer as it stood in those years of the mid-1950s. We will point out how his ideas are more relevant than ever in the age of supercomputers, AI and brain implants.