Scientists are now looking into using living brain cells to build computers that work differently from the traditional ones. These biological systems, modeled after the brain, could potentially process information more efficiently and adaptively. This new approach might significantly impact fields like AI and healthcare by taking advantage of how neurons naturally function.
Read this article to delve into these living computers made from human neurons.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/these-living-computers-are-made-from-human-neurons/
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “sticking point” mean? “Sticking points remain for organoid computing’s ability to compete with silicon on a large scale.” Create a sentence with this.
- Define “bedrock“. “Artificial intelligence systems, even those as sophisticated as ChatGPT, depend on the same silicon-based hardware that has been the bedrock of computing since the 1950s.” Make a sentence with this.
- What does “state-of-the-art” mean? “’Our principal goal is artificial intelligence for 100,000 times less energy’ than what’s currently required to train state-of-the-art generative AI, Jordan says.” Use this in a sentence and give a synonym.
Discussion Questions:
- What’s your impression of these living computers?
- What ethical concerns arise from using living brain cells in technology? Should there be limits on how far this can go?
- Do you think biological computers could eventually replace normal computers, or will they just be used for different tasks?
- Could this technology lead to a future where human brains are connected to computers? How would that change our lives?
- What could be the risks of creating computers that think like human brains?