Stem cells are being explored as competitors to tech giants, with Australian startup Cortical Labs training human brain cells on a chip to play Pong. This research into organoid intelligence shows that these simplified neural networks can learn efficiently, potentially surpassing artificial systems in specific tasks. As ethical considerations arise, experts see neuron-based computers and conscious robots as future possibilities, drawing parallels to past scientific advancements and emphasizing the importance of consent in research involving human cells.
Stem Cells: A New Frontier in AI Competition
Stem cells are emerging as potential rivals to tech giants like Nvidia. An innovative Australian startup, Cortical Labs, has made headlines by successfully training human brain cells on a computer chip to play the classic video game Pong, a simple tennis simulation. This remarkable achievement occurred in 2022 when the company was just three years old, highlighting the exciting domain of organoid intelligence.
Exploring Organoid Intelligence
Although the organoids utilized in this research aren’t miniature brains, they are composed of similar neurons and exhibit comparable learning abilities with significantly lower energy requirements. Fred Jordan, a key figure in the field, notes that while the human brain operates on just 20 watts, a digital simulation of the brain would demand energy consumption a million times greater. He envisions a future where cloud computing centers, similar to those of Amazon Web Services, could be built entirely from nervous tissue within the next decade.
Another captivating aspect of organoid intelligence lies in its learning potential. Patricia Reynaud Boulet, the head of the J-A Dieudonné mathematics laboratory at the University of Côte d’Azur, is investigating these capabilities. She clarifies, “Organoids are not brains. They consist of only a few thousand neurons compared to the human brain’s tens of billions. While they are basic and somewhat limited, biological neural networks may outperform artificial ones in specific tasks such as learning or information classification.”
As researchers and companies explore the feasibility of developing neuron-based computers or autonomous intelligences capable of emotions, entrepreneurs like Hon Weng Chong see organoid intelligence as a pathway to achieving general artificial intelligence. This vision aligns with Claude Touzet’s theory of developmental robotics, which posits that the future of artificial intelligence will inherently involve robots that can interact with their environment through touch and hearing.
In anticipation of a conscious humanoid, Cortical Labs showcased its groundbreaking bio-computer at the Mobile World Congress on March 3, 2025, in Spain. This innovative technology enables users to write computer code in Python, allowing them to observe the electrical activity of neurons and program this activity to suit experimental needs.
Fred Jordan, co-founder of FinalSpark, emphasizes the accessibility of their organoids for remote experimentation. Currently, about ten universities globally utilize FinalSpark’s neural networks for free, while banks and automotive firms are willing to pay 5,000 euros per month for access. Just six months ago, the monthly demand was a mere 1,000 euros, indicating a significant upward trend.
As this nascent research field progresses, ethical considerations are increasingly coming to the forefront. Frank Yates reassures that ethical questions are integral to their work, stating, “We rigorously consider ethical implications whenever we conduct research involving human cells. Consent from the patient is mandatory, and it is not indefinite; it is specific to the research purpose, and patients have the right to withdraw according to national laws, including in France.”
Regarding the prospect of creating computers or conscious robots in the near future, Yates draws parallels to past scientific advancements. He recalls, “During my thesis on gene therapy in the early 2000s, the concept of pluripotent cells in a petri dish seemed like science fiction. Today, it is a common technique. While I don’t believe that a few thousand cells can generate consciousness, I also acknowledge that nothing is impossible.” This notion echoes the intriguing themes explored in the film Ex Machina by Alex Garland.