AI Is Dead. Organoids Are Alive
Mini human brains are being grown in labs all over the world. Soon, they could outthink neural networks.
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Scientists are growing miniature human brains in laboratories by taking skin cells, reverting them to an embryonic state, and allowing them to develop into brain tissue with millions of neurons that produce brain waves similar to those of premature babies. These brain organoids are currently used to test the effects of diseases, toxins, and pharmaceuticals, but researchers are exploring more ambitious applications, including guiding robots, powering biocomputing systems, and playing video games. The research represents a shift in artificial intelligence development toward biological systems rather than digital ones, with scientists investigating whether living neural tissue could eventually outperform traditional neural networks. Key ethical questions remain unresolved about where to draw lines on organoid development, particularly regarding sentience and consciousness, since it is unclear whether a brain without a body or sensory experiences could achieve consciousness.
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