General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums16 lab-grown brains run world's first 'living computer' in Switzerland
"Brains" is headline clickbait, but the story is interesting.
https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/worlds-first-living-computer-switzerland?utm
-snip
Replacing silicon chips with bioprocessors could lead to drastic energy savings. Final Spark allows research labs to experience the power of biological processors on the Neuroplatform.
-snip-
Final Spark has made working these varied components possible through an innovative setup called Multi-Electrode Arrays (MEAs), where the three-dimensional masses of brain tissue are placed.
-snip-
Final Spark faced many challenges in its early years since the organoids would die in just a few hours. The company has worked on this shortcoming and improved its MEA systems to ensure that organoids live for 100 days.
If you've watched Star Trek Voyager, with its "bio-neural gel packs", you are familiar with the concept. The pulp sci-fi, The Matrix, takes the idea to its dystopian extreme, a superintelligent AI using human brains for their processing power.
lindysalsagal
(22,275 posts)In ways we can't even imagine.
LudwigPastorius
(10,596 posts)While I know there's no chance that human brain organoid processors could have any kind of awareness, it still gives me a squeamish feeling.
Call it the "I Have No Mouth And I Must Compile Your Program" creeps.
PatSeg
(49,586 posts)chowder66
(9,759 posts)LudwigPastorius
(10,596 posts)"Sorry, but I've got to run home and feed my computer."
chowder66
(9,759 posts)chowder66
(9,759 posts)LudwigPastorius
(10,596 posts)Think. Again.
(16,998 posts)...they were going to get around to using biological materials to build computers rather than minerals.
I think now we're getting close to the having to ask the question of whether, if we instill learning AI into biological materials, and build it so that it is self sustaining somehow, have we created life?
triron
(22,240 posts)Think. Again.
(16,998 posts)...not to get too philosophical, but we don't even understand conciousness in humans or other animals, "the only conciousness I am sure of is my own", etc.