How Human Neurons and Biological Materials Are Being Used for Computing

Biocomputing with human neurons is emerging as a potential alternative to traditional silicon-based computing, offering new possibilities for artificial intelligence systems.

The rise of biocomputing: FinalSpark, a Swiss company, has developed a groundbreaking “Neuroplatform” computer that utilizes human brain organoids as its computational foundation.

• The system, available for rent to scientists at $500 per month, consists of spherical brain organoids connected to electrodes that stimulate neurons and link them to computer networks.
• To mimic the brain’s reward system and encourage the formation of new neural connections, the neurons are exposed to dopamine.
• FinalSpark’s ambitious goal is to create AI systems that consume 100,000 times less energy than current technologies, potentially revolutionizing the field of artificial intelligence.

Technical challenges and limitations: While promising, biocomputing with human neurons faces several obstacles that researchers must overcome for widespread adoption.

• The short lifespan of brain organoids, typically lasting only about 100 days, presents a significant hurdle for long-term computational applications.
• The lack of standardized manufacturing processes for brain organoids complicates efforts to create consistent and reliable biocomputing systems.
• Researchers must develop new methods to maintain and sustain these living computational units for extended periods to make them viable for practical applications.

Alternative biocomputing approaches: Human neurons are not the only biological materials being explored for computing purposes.

• Some researchers are investigating the use of bacterial cells as computational units, leveraging their ability to respond to environmental stimuli and perform simple calculations.
• Fungal networks, with their complex interconnected structures, are also being studied as potential biocomputing platforms.
• These alternative approaches may offer unique advantages in terms of scalability, resilience, or specific computational tasks.

Ethical considerations and debates: The use of human neurons in computing systems also raises complex ethical questions that the scientific community and society at large must grapple with.

• There are ongoing discussions about the ethical implications of cultivating and using human neurons for computational purposes.
• A key concern is the potential for organoids to develop some form of consciousness, which would raise serious ethical and philosophical questions about their use in computing systems.
• Researchers and ethicists must work together to establish guidelines and protocols for the responsible development and use of biocomputing technologies.

Potential advantages of biocomputing: Despite the challenges, biocomputing offers several potential benefits over traditional silicon-based systems.

• Environmental sustainability is a key advantage, as biological systems typically consume far less energy than their silicon counterparts.
• Biocomputers may have an enhanced ability to interact with and respond to their environments, potentially leading to more adaptive and context-aware AI systems.
• The natural learning mechanisms of biological systems could potentially enable more efficient and effective machine learning processes.

Broader implications for AI and computing: The development of biocomputing technologies could have far-reaching consequences for the future of artificial intelligence and computing as a whole.

• If successful, biocomputing could lead to a paradigm shift in how we approach AI development, moving away from purely digital systems to hybrid biological-digital architectures.
• The energy efficiency of biocomputers could address growing concerns about the environmental impact of large-scale AI and data center operations.
• Biocomputing may enable new forms of human-computer interaction and integration, potentially blurring the lines between biological and artificial intelligence.

Looking ahead: While biocomputing with human neurons shows promise, it remains in its early stages and faces significant technical and ethical hurdles.

• The success of this technology will depend on continued research to overcome current limitations and the development of clear ethical guidelines for its use.
• As the field progresses, it will be crucial to monitor its development and carefully consider the implications of integrating biological components into our computing systems.
• The potential benefits of biocomputing must be weighed against the ethical concerns and technical challenges to determine its role in the future of AI and computing.