Could Lab-Grown Mini-Brains Revolutionise AI in the Future?
Brain organoids demonstrate potential for sustainable AI computation with minimal energy consumption. The adaptability and pattern recognition capabilities of FinalSpark's biological computer, which is constructed from organoids, are exceptional. The scalability, lifespan, and processing speed of organoids are among the obstacles.

Organoids are lab-grown organ replicas made from stem cells that, while small and not fully functional, mimic important organ properties such as the brain, liver, and intestines. The scientific world is turning to brain organoids for their environmental benefits.
AI technologies are notoriously resource-intensive. For example, the ChatGPT of OpenAI requires an immense 500,000 kilowatts of power each day to process 200 million queries. This resource strain is becoming increasingly difficult to understand. It is surprising that contemporary science is considering brain cells as a potential solution.
Cortical Labs and other companies are exploring brain-digital interfaces, with products such as DishBrain that facilitate the growth of human neurones on silicon chips to facilitate interaction with digital domains. In the same vein, Koniku Inc. is in the process of creating biosensors that combine electronics with neurones to replicate the olfactory abilities of sniffer canines. In contrast, FinalSpark, a Swiss startup, has made significant progress by developing organic brain tissue for computing, which consumes substantially less power than silicon chips.
Living neurones could consume more than 1 million times less energy than contemporary digital processors, according to Ewelina Kurtys, a scientist at FinalSpark. This assertion is substantiated by a February 2023 paper that introduces "Organoid Intelligence" (OI), a groundbreaking discipline that combines biology and technology to provide innovative computing solutions. Companies such as FinalSpark are motivated to combine biology and AI in order to develop more sustainable and intelligent technology, as the human brain operates at a computational level comparable to that of supercomputers while consuming minimal energy.
FinalSpark's living computer, which is composed of 16 lab-grown organoids, demonstrates exceptional processing capabilities, particularly in the areas of adaptability and pattern recognition tasks such as visual and vocal processing. In contrast to conventional silicon processors, these brain organoids capitalise on the brain's inherent efficiency, providing a promising alternative for intricate AI operations.
Nevertheless, there are still obstacles to the widespread adoption of this technology:
Compared to silicon processors, organoids currently exhibit a deficiency in processing speed and precision.
The practicality and cost concerns of organoids' limited longevity, which is approximately 100 days, necessitate their regular replacement.
Ensuring organoid consistency and integration with existing digital infrastructure are among the technical challenges associated with scaling the bioprocessor for broader use.
The future is set to be a transformative combination of technology and biology as we navigate the convergence of AI, OI, and human innovation, thereby shaping the landscape of tomorrow's advancements.
Brain organoids show promise for sustainable AI computing with minimal energy use.
FinalSpark's living computer, made from organoids, excels in adaptability and pattern recognition.
Challenges include processing speed, lifespan, and scalability of organoids.
Source: FORBES