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SONATA: Brain-Aligned Neural Architectures for Real-Time Sound Recognition

Objective

SONATA (Sound-Oriented Neural-AI Alignment for Temporal Audition) addresses a core scientific and technological challenge: artificial systems still lack the human brain’s ability to interpret sounds quickly and flexibly. While the brain extracts meaning from sound through dynamic, multiscale processing, current AI systems are trained on static datasets and often fail in unpredictable or noisy conditions. SONATA proposes a new strategy: using high-resolution brain data to guide the development of deep learning models for sound recognition. Specifically, it develops biologically inspired multistream neural networks and constrains their architecture using recordings from magnetoencephalography (MEG), a non-invasive technique that captures brain activity with millisecond precision. The key innovation lies in integrating tools from cognitive neuroscience—such as Representational Similarity Analysis—into the training and evaluation pipeline. These techniques allow the project to align internal model representations with those observed in the brain. The action is structured around three objectives: (O1) design of neuro-inspired model architectures; (O2) incorporation of both theoretical and data-driven neural constraints; and (O3) dual benchmarking of functional accuracy and biological plausibility. SONATA is hosted at Aix-Marseille Université under the supervision of Dr. Bruno Giordano, and will generate open-source tools and insights with applications in auditory neuroscience, AI, and assistive hearing technologies.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITE D'AIX MARSEILLE
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 226 420,56
Address
BOULEVARD CHARLES LIVON 58 LE PHARO
13284 Marseille
France

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Region
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Bouches-du-Rhône
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

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