FinalSpark, a Swiss company, has made waves in the tech world with its innovative approach to computing. Instead of relying on traditional silicon-based hardware, FinalSpark has developed a Neuroplatform powered by human-brain organoids. These organoids, miniature clusters of lab-grown cells, are connected to electrodes that stimulate the neurons within the living sphere. The result is a computer platform that mimics the human brain’s natural reward system, allowing the organoids to form new pathways and connections, much like a living human brain learns.
Renting a Living Computer Made from Human Neurons
For $500 a month, scientists and researchers can rent access to FinalSpark’s Neuroplatform over the Internet. This unique opportunity allows users to observe the behavior of the organoids in real-time as they are trained through a combination of positive dopamine rewards and electrical stimulation. The goal of FinalSpark’s Neuroplatform is to support artificial intelligence in a more environmentally sustainable way, aiming to reduce energy consumption by 100,000 times compared to current AI training methods.
The Challenges and Potential of Biocomputing
While the concept of biocomputing holds great promise, there are still challenges to overcome before organoid computing can compete with traditional silicon-based systems on a large scale. One major obstacle is the limited lifespan of the organoids, which currently survive for an average of around 100 days. However, FinalSpark has made significant progress in streamlining the process of creating organoids, with their facility housing thousands of them.
Researchers at 34 universities have expressed interest in using FinalSpark’s biocomputers for various projects related to biocomputing. Each research team is exploring different aspects of the technology, from creating organoid-specific computer languages to integrating organoids into models of AI learning. These diverse projects highlight the potential of biocomputing to revolutionize the field of artificial intelligence.
Exploring Different Approaches to Biocomputing
While FinalSpark focuses on human-brain organoids, other researchers are exploring alternative forms of biocomputing. Ángel Goñi-Moreno, a researcher at Spain’s National Center for Biotechnology, is studying cellular computing, which involves using modified living cells to replicate memory, logic gates, and other decision-making basics found in conventional computer science. Goñi-Moreno believes that cellular computers could excel in tasks like bioremediation, where conventional computers fall short.
Andrew Adamatzky, from the University of the West of England, is taking a different approach by studying the computational possibilities of fungus. Mycelia, networks of fungal strands, exhibit electrical potentials similar to neurons, leading Adamatzky to explore the creation of brainlike fungal computing systems. His team has successfully trained fungal networks to assist computer systems in performing mathematical functions, highlighting the potential advantages of fungal computing over brain-organoid-based computing.
Ethical Considerations and Future Directions
As biocomputing continues to advance, ethical considerations regarding the use of living cells for nonmedical purposes have come to the forefront. Questions about the potential consciousness of mini brains and the ethical implications of using human neurons in computing raise important discussions that researchers like Fred Jordan are actively engaging with. Jordan emphasizes the importance of seeking input from philosophers and researchers to address these ethical questions and ensure responsible use of biocomputing technologies.
Despite the challenges and ethical considerations, the field of biocomputing holds immense promise for the future of computing and artificial intelligence. With ongoing research and innovation, biocomputing technologies like FinalSpark’s Neuroplatform and alternative approaches involving cellular and fungal computing have the potential to revolutionize the way we approach computing and AI. As researchers continue to explore the capabilities of living biological matter in computing systems, the possibilities for biocomputing are truly limitless.