After much anticipation, the Final Summit of the Human Brain Project started at Palais du Pharo in Marseille. The Summit was opened in the great Plenary Hall of the venue with a warm welcome from HBP Scientific Research Director Prof. Katrin Amunts.

In welcoming the audience at the Final Summit, Amunts took the opportunity to reflect on a decade of neuroscience research and interdisciplinary collaboration made possible by the Human Brain Project. Over the last decade, research in the project has seen an impressive number of achievements, both in scientific research and technology development.

The Summit is the main scientific meeting of the Human Brain Project: “We should find partners here, collaborate and create projects together. This is what the Summit is for," Amunts said. "For neuroscience researchers looking to meet the challenges of the future, it is an experience not to be missed. The future of neuroscience has started, welcome to the Summit!”

Viktor Jirsa, from Aix-Marseille University, welcomed the over 600 participants as this year's local Summit host. "It's a great pleasure to welcome you here in Marseille." Aix-Marseille University joined the HBP in 2014, bringing in The Virtual Brain, which was further developed in the HBP to allow personalized brain modeling of patients.

Jirsa also drew attention to the diversity and heterogeneity of the city of Marseille, apparent to the careful observer, and compared it to the human brain: “The heterogeneity I see here in Marseille reminds me of the heterogeneity we see back in the brain, which promotes robust learning and resilience.”

Yesterday marked the first day of the Summit, with fruitful lectures and discussions on achievements of the Human Brain Project and the future of digital neuroscience. At the Science Market, visitors of the Summit already took their chance to get themselves acquainted with all of EBRAINS’ accompanying digital tools and services. The rest of the week will feature many more fascinating lectures, panels, and discussions.