Computation, Cognition & Language

The Computation, Cognition & Language group focuses on models inspired by human cognition to create more natural and flexible handling of language by machines.

The lion's share of information exchange passes through language. Expression through language is man-made and as a communication channel it presents several challenges: It is highly diverse (with over 6000 distinct languages), noisy, ambiguous, both over- and underspecified and often indirect.

Still, language is an essential tool for artificial systems, such as mobile apps and robots, to interact effectively with users.

The CCL group is concerned with the scientific study and development of systems that automatically capture information from this noisy and complex signal, with a preference for methods that find inspiration in human cognitive processes to make interaction more natural and flexible, and to make automatic learning from this signal more efficient.

Group News

An overview of Idiap's work at the SwissMediaForum

institute — last modified Sep 27, 2022

What is the link between AI and media? Lonneke van der Plas, head of the Computation, Cognition & Language group at Idiap, gave an overview of the work done at the institute from Valais and how that is relevant for the media at the SwissMediaForum in Luzern in September 2022.

Crossing boundaries: from cross-lingual learning to creative thought

research — last modified Sep 21, 2022

In spring 2022, Prof. Lonneke van der Plas, head of the Computation, Cognition & Language group at Idiap, gave a talk during the Language Technology Research Seminar at Heslinki.

Selecting Swiss companies that have best involved AI in their devices and processes

tech — last modified Jul 05, 2022

Lonneke van der Plas, head of the Computation, Cognition & Language group, was a member of the jury charged by AiCon to evaluate the involvement of 32 Swiss companies in Artificial Intelligence.

Idiap is looking for its next director

institute — Jan 14, 2022

Idiap Research Institute and the School of Engineering at EPFL invite applications for the directorship of Idiap. The successful candidate will also hold a faculty position as full professor at EPFL School of Engineering.

Idiap welcomes its first female professor

institute — Oct 08, 2021

Head of the Computation, Cognition & Language Group at Idiap, Lonneke van der Plas was nominated professor by the University of Malta. She is affiliated to this university since 2014.

An interdisciplinary research consortium to study our language

research — last modified Jun 16, 2021

How will our capacity for language change in the face of digital communication and neuroengineering? This is the mission of Lonneke van der Plas as an associate investigator for the NCCR Evolving Language

Four new researchers join the effort to shape the future of AI

institute — Feb 26, 2021

Idiap is developing its research capacities by hiring four new senior researchers. Two women and two men, whose goal will be to work on topics with great potential in AI and to continue to progress in areas that have already contributed to the reputation of the institute.

Group Job Openings

Our group is regularly posting job openings ranging from internships to researcher positions. To check the opportunities currently available or to submit a speculative applications use the link below.Our group is regularly posting job openings ranging from internships to researcher positions. To check the opportunities currently available or to submit a speculative applications use the link below.

Other jobs