A groundbreaking new technology that blends human brain cells with computer circuits is set to transform the future of robots and AI. The "DishBrain" is a semi-biological chip developed by scientists at Monash University, and it’s already showing impressive potential in the world of artificial intelligence. Now, this exciting research has caught the attention of the military, earning a $407,000 grant to continue its development.
What is the DishBrain?
The DishBrain is a computer chip that combines lab-grown human and mouse brain cells with electronic circuits. The brain cells are cultured onto electrodes that allow the chip to read and stimulate their activity. This fusion of biology and technology has led to some truly surprising results.
In one experiment, DishBrain was taught to play the classic game Pong. Within just five minutes, the chip learned how to control the paddle to hit the ball. This experiment showed that the brain cells, connected to the computer, could both sense and act on the game environment.
How Does It Work?
The DishBrain chip uses a system where electrical signals are sent to the brain cells to represent the movement of the Pong ball on the screen. The brain cells then respond by controlling the paddle. To make it more interesting, a reward system was put in place: when the paddle hit the ball, the brain cells received a predictable stimulus. If the paddle missed, the cells got an unpredictable stimulus. This helped the brain cells learn to adjust and play the game.
This was the first time brain cells were used not just for sensing but also for acting within a game. It showed that lab-grown brain cells could perform complex tasks, which is a major step forward for AI development.
The Future of DishBrain
The DishBrain project has attracted significant attention because of its potential to change how machines learn. According to Associate Professor Adeel Razi, who leads the project, these chips could eventually surpass the performance of traditional silicon-based hardware. This technology might help develop machines that can continuously learn and adapt over time, rather than being limited to pre-programmed tasks.
The ability for machines to keep learning new skills while retaining older knowledge could lead to huge advancements in robotics, autonomous vehicles, drones, and even brain-machine interfaces. The technology could also be used in drug discovery, where it could assist in developing new treatments by simulating complex biological processes.
The Grant and Future Plans
The project has just received a $407,000 grant from Australia's National Intelligence and Security Discovery Research Grants program. This funding will help researchers improve the learning capabilities of AI machines and potentially lead to hardware that could replace current silicon-based computing. The goal is to create machines that are smarter, more efficient, and capable of learning throughout their lifetimes.
DishBrain represents a new frontier in machine intelligence, combining biological networks with technology. As the project progresses, it could revolutionize the way robots, AI, and even humans interact with machines.
Source: https://newatlas.com/science/dishbrain-cells-sentience-play-pong/?itm_s…
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