In a groundbreaking move, scientists are using lab-grown human mini-brains in biocomputing to power computers. A Swiss startup, FinalSpark, is leading this revolutionary shift from silicon chips to living neurons. The innovation promises to slash energy use while opening new possibilities for computing.
A Shift from Silicon to Cells
Modern AI tools and supercomputers rely on silicon chips to mimic brain activity. These systems demand massive energy, threatening global climate goals. FinalSpark’s co-founder Fred Jordan questioned this approach. He said:
“Instead of trying to mimic, let’s use the real thing.”
By using real human neurons, the company aims to create “bioprocessors” that are both powerful and sustainable. According to Jordan, biological neurons are one million times more energy efficient than artificial ones.
How These “Mini-Brains” Work
The process starts with skin cells from anonymous donors. Scientists turn these cells into stem cells, then convert them into neurons. These neurons are grouped into millimetre-wide organoids, tiny brain-like clusters containing around 10,000 neurons, similar in size to a fruit-fly larva’s brain.
Researchers place electrodes around the organoids to monitor and stimulate activity. When stimulated with small electric currents, the organoids respond with electrical spikes. These signals act like binary code, forming the basis of biocomputing.
Real-World Experiments Are Underway
Universities worldwide are already experimenting with FinalSpark’s technology. At the University of Bristol, researcher Benjamin Ward-Cherrier used an organoid to control a simple robot. The robot successfully distinguished between different Braille letters. Ward-Cherrier admitted, highlighting the challenges of decoding organoid signals:
“Working with robots is very easy by comparison.”
However, these living processors have limitations. Ward-Cherrier’s organoid died mid-experiment, forcing him to start over. FinalSpark says each organoid can live for up to six months.
Ethical and Scientific Frontiers
The idea of using human brain cells in biocomputing raises philosophical questions. Are these organoids conscious? Scientists say no. They lack pain receptors and have only a tiny fraction of the neurons found in a human brain. Adding that FinalSpark works closely with ethicists, Jordan noted:
“This is at the edge of philosophy.”
At Johns Hopkins University, researcher Lena Smirnova is using similar organoids to study Autism and Alzheimer’s disease, aiming to discover new treatments. This shows the dual potential of organoid research, both in computing and medicine.
The Road Ahead
Biocomputing is still in its early stages. Scientists are learning how to encode data for neurons and interpret their responses. But the outlook is promising. Jordan demonstrated how organoids reacted to a lab door opening, a phenomenon the team still can’t fully explain.
Experts believe this technology could transform computing within two decades. If successful, human mini-brains might power the next generation of ultra-efficient computers, reshaping both AI and medical research.