Earlier this year, we learned of a Swiss company's major bio-techno breakthrough in computer processing:
FinalSpark claims its Neuroplatform is the world's first online platform delivering access to biological neurons in vitro. Moreover, bioprocessors like this "consume a million times less power than traditional digital processors," the company says.
(So basically the company created a brain in a vat? I think?)
Well, it's probably more complex than that. And it appears to be going well, because now they're letting people access the brain-processors via remote link:
FinalSpark, the firm behind Neuroplatform, has begun to offer paid 24/7 remote access to its bioprocessors. ... [A]cademic customers can get access to this biocomputing platform, featuring four shared organoids, for $500 per user per month (or even free, for selected projects).
For the fee, FinalSpark says that users get to conduct biocomputing research on a 24/7 fully managed remote neuroplatform. ... [U]sers are promised:
Integrated R&D environment for biocomputing research
Realtime neural stimulation and reading
Programming API for Python
Digital notebook for documentation and research
Data storage and backup
Technical support
The process for manufacturing these "organoids" sounds hopelessly complex, according to the company's co-founder:
Right now, we're using induced pluripotent stem cells derived from human skin cells [induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPSCs, are specialized cells created in a lab from adult cells, which can then turn into any cell type in the body].
Then, we can differentiate IPSCs into neurons [cells in the nervous system that transmit information through electrical and chemical signals] and glial cells [supportive cells in the nervous system that provide structure, nutrition, and insulation to neurons].
And what about concerns that these artificial human brains might develop consciousness of some kind? Well:
It's difficult to say. The concept of consciousness is not well-defined. In our experiments, we work on a small scale, and it's beyond our current scope to determine if organoids can develop consciousness. Understanding and defining consciousness is the first step in such discussions.
That doesn't sound very reassuring!!
Come quickly, Lord Jesus ...
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