Madness in the Lab: The Dawn of Biocomputing with Human Brain Cells

Imagine renting a computer that isn’t made of silicon chips but living human neurons! This isn’t science fiction—it’s happening now, thanks to Swiss company FinalSpark and their groundbreaking "Neuroplatform." These "living computers" are biocomputers powered by lab-grown human brain organoids, offering a new frontier in artificial intelligence and computing.

FinalSpark’s Neuroplatform lets researchers remotely access these biocomputers for $500 a month. The platform is designed for experiments in biocomputing, allowing scientists to explore the potential of living neurons in computing tasks. Unlike traditional digital processors, these bioprocessors are incredibly energy-efficient, potentially consuming a million times less power than conventional chips.

This innovative technology is already attracting significant attention, with over 30 universities—including the University of Michigan and the Free University of Berlin—jumping on board to explore everything from creating new computer languages to enhancing AI learning models. However, the technology is still in its early stages, with challenges like the short lifespan of the organoids (around 100 days) and the need for more robust manufacturing processes.

While the potential is immense, the ethical implications are also significant. There's ongoing debate about the possibility of these brain organoids gaining some form of consciousness, though there’s no evidence of this yet. As researchers continue to push the boundaries, the future of computing could very well be intertwined with biology, leading us into a brave new world of biocomputing​ (Tom's Hardware)​ (livescience.com)​ (BioSpace).