IFISC coordinates a European doctoral training network to drive innovation in post-digital computing

• IFISC coordinates the European Doctoral Network POSTDIGITAL Plus to train researchers in brain-inspired and unconventional computing technologies.

• The initiative aims to develop energy-efficient computing paradigms, training 17 doctoral students for the future of post-digital technologies.

The Institute for Cross-Disciplinary Physics and Complex Systems (IFISC, UIB-CSIC) is proud to be coordinating  the European Doctoral Network POSTDIGITAL Plus, a pioneering initiative funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme. This project, running from 2025 to 2029, will train the next generation of researchers and engineers in advanced, non-conventional computing technologies to tackle the growing challenges of information  processing and its energy consumption in the digital age. At IFISC, the project is coordinated by researchers Apostolos Argyris, Miguel C. Soriano, Ingo Fischer, and Claudio Mirasso.

The modern information and communication technology (ICT) landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the explosive growth of data generated by internet applications, cloud services, social media, on-demand video streaming, and more. This surge in data demands a massive increase in processing power and communication bandwidth. However, traditional digital technologies are now approaching their physical limits. This, combined with the high energy consumption of global ICT infrastructure, has created an urgent need for new, brain-inspired, and unconventional computing methods.

POSTDIGITAL Plus responds to this challenge by exploring non-conventional computing paradigms that break away from classical digital architectures. The project focuses on two key areas: exploiting the speed and energy advantages of optical computing over traditional electronic systems, and harnessing the potential of analog computing for next-generation artificial neural networks. By combining these approaches, the project will develop neuromorphic technologies capable of transforming data processing and improving energy efficiency.

The initiative brings together a consortium of academic and industrial partners, including the Universitat de les Illes Balears, Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Universiteit Gent, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Belgium, Université Libre de Bruxelles, VLC Photonics SL, Thales and Akhetonics GMBH as participants, together with IBM Research GmbH, University Paris-Saclay, Ncodin, Aston University, and Communaute D'Universites et Établissements Université Bourgogne - Franche as partners. These institutions will train 17 doctoral candidates in this interdisciplinary field, preparing them for the challenge to design, develop, and implement post-digital computing technologies. Four of these doctoral candidates will work at IFISC.

This project aligns with the European Union’s goals to strengthen industrial competitiveness in response to global challenges. Benefiting from the collaboration between academia and industry, POSTDIGITAL Plus will contribute to the development of transformative technologies that address the urgent needs of the digital economy while reducing the environmental impact of ICT infrastructure.

Image: IFISC (UIB-CSIC)  researchers involved in POSTDIGITAL+