Biocomputing: AI’s Future with Living Computers Made from Neurons

As the demand for more energy-efficient artificial intelligence grows, some scientists are venturing into an unconventional realm—biocomputing. This emerging field leverages living biological matter, such as lab-grown human brain organoids, to create new forms of computing architecture that could potentially revolutionize AI.

From Silicon to Neurons: The Neuroplatform Experiment

Traditional AI systems, including advanced models like ChatGPT, rely on silicon-based hardware, which has dominated computing since the 1950s. However, biocomputing offers a radical alternative by using biological components, aiming to reduce the energy consumption associated with AI processing. One of the pioneers in this field is the Swiss company FinalSpark, which recently introduced its “Neuroplatform”—a computer platform powered by human-brain organoids. For $500 a month, scientists can rent access to this platform over the Internet.

Fred Jordan, co-founder of FinalSpark, highlights the platform’s potential to dramatically reduce the energy required for AI processing. “Our principal goal is artificial intelligence for 100,000 times less energy,” Jordan says. The Neuroplatform's architecture uses tiny brain organoids, each connected to electrodes that both stimulate the neurons and link them to conventional computer networks. The organoids are also exposed to dopamine, mimicking the human brain’s reward system to train the neurons.

The Growing Interest in Biocomputing

The idea of using living neurons to perform computational tasks is attracting significant interest. Research teams from 34 universities, including the University of Michigan and the Free University of Berlin, have already begun exploring the potential of FinalSpark’s biocomputers. Projects range from developing an organoid-specific computer language to integrating these biological processors into AI learning models.

However, despite its promise, biocomputing faces several challenges. Manufacturing standardized organoids is complex, and the living brain cells used in these systems have a limited lifespan—currently averaging around 100 days. Additionally, ethical concerns loom large, especially regarding the use of human neurons for nonmedical purposes.

Ethical Considerations and the Future of Biocomputing

The use of human brain organoids in computing raises profound ethical questions. One of the most pressing concerns is the possibility of these organoids developing consciousness, although there is no evidence to suggest this has occurred in a lab setting. Fred Jordan acknowledges these concerns, noting that FinalSpark is actively seeking philosophers and researchers to help navigate the bioethical implications of their work.

While some researchers, like Andrew Adamatzky at the University of the West of England, advocate for alternative forms of biocomputing—such as using fungal networks to perform computational tasks—Jordan remains confident in the potential of human neurons. “Human neurons are the best at learning,” he asserts, underscoring the unique capabilities of brain organoids.

As the field of biocomputing continues to evolve, it promises to push the boundaries of what’s possible in AI. However, as with any groundbreaking technology, it also requires careful consideration of the ethical, practical, and societal impacts.