The Emerging OI Technology – Organic Intelligence Amidst the AI Craze
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to be researched and developed, sparking global debates, a group of prominent scientists from around the world convened at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, USA, with ambitious plans to create a form of intelligence far more advanced, derived from our very own brain cells.
A new study published on February 28 in the medical journal Frontiers detailed plans to create a type of intelligence that could represent a “new frontier” for humanity’s limitless potential. This is known as OI (organoid intelligence). The paper elaborated on how this cutting-edge brain-machine technology operates and the pathway to making it a reality.
Johns Hopkins University aims to create intelligence from human brain cells.
Researchers are developing biological computing by utilizing a 3D framework of human brain cells and brain-machine interface technology. These organoids share aspects of the brain’s structure and function that play crucial roles in cognitive functions such as learning and memory. Essentially, they will serve as biological hardware for machines, significantly more efficient than current computers running AI programs.
Scientists will culture 3D human brain cells to recreate the noggin parts responsible for learning and memory. Their size enables the neurons inside to form many more connections compared to standard AI silicon chips. The researchers predict that this biological hardware will be integrated with AI and machine learning systems like ChatGPT.
Thomas Hartung, a co-author of the study, stated: “While silicon-based computers are certainly better with numbers, the brain learns better. In other words, the plot of implanting computer chips into our brains in sci-fi movies might soon become a reality.”
“The vision of OI is to harness the power of biological systems to advance the fields of living science, biotechnology, and computer science,” said Lena Smirnova, one of the paper’s authors.
Considering the efficiency of the human brain in processing information and learning, modeling from human brain cells could lead to a system that operates much faster and more effectively than current computers. The human brain has an astonishing capacity for information storage: an average noggin can store around 2,500 terabytes, which is about 1,000 times more than the latest MacBook Air. Moreover, it consumes significantly less energy than silicon.
Modeling from human brain cells could lead to faster systems.
Humans are reaching the physical limits of silicon computers, as they can no longer pack more transistors into a small chip. However, the brain operates entirely differently. It consists of about 100 billion neurons interconnected through more than 10^15 synaptic connections, presenting a new solution to upgrade machine intelligence further.
Similar to artificial intelligence, there are ethical concerns, and researchers acknowledge this. To ensure OI develops in a socially responsible manner, they propose a cautious approach with multiple steps of oversight before it goes into official operation.
A series of questions have been raised: Can these cells experience pain and suffering like humans? Can neurons develop consciousness? Do donors of brain cells have any rights or influence?
Researchers stated: “A community of the world’s leading scientists has come together to develop this technology, which we believe will usher in a new era of fast, powerful, and efficient biological computing. All ethical issues will be continuously evaluated by groups including scientists, ethicists, and the public as research progresses.”