In a major move towards the future of artificial intelligence (AI), the Office of National Intelligence in Australia is providing funding for a project that aims to merge human brain cells with AI technology. The research is being led by a team of experts from the Melbourne-based startup, Cortical Labs, who have recently been awarded a substantial $600,000 grant to push the boundaries of human-machine integration.
The Cortical Labs researchers made a significant breakthrough by demonstrating that a remarkable 800,000 brain cells cultivated in a Petri dish could collectively play the classic video game "Pong." This highlights the potential of combining biological neural networks with AI, surpassing the capabilities of traditional silicon-based hardware.
The implications of this research extend far beyond the realms of gaming and entertainment. The technology being developed has the potential to impact various industries, including planning, robotics, advanced automation, brain-machine interfaces, and drug discovery.
The Cortical Labs team aims to create AI machines that possess the learning capacity exhibited by biological neural networks. The core of their project involves cultivating brain cells in a lab dish through the "DishBrain" system, which serves as a platform to explore the concept of "continual lifelong learning" in AI.
However, amidst the excitement from some surrounding this technological leap, experts and ethicists are voicing concerns about the potential dangers associated with merging human brain cells with AI. The concept of "enhanced human-AI systems" raises significant ethical and safety implications. Critics argue that such an intimate fusion between humans and machines could lead to a loss of privacy and autonomy. The fear of AI systems gaining control over individuals, with human brains acting as potential conduits for undue surveillance, is a serious concern.
Across the ocean in the United States, Elon Musk's Neuralink has already received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct studies involving brain implants in humans. While Musk claims his venture aims to enhance human cognition and interface capabilities, it has also garnered its fair share of skepticism from critics who worry about the potential for abuse and manipulation.