Science
Organoid Intelligence (OI): Will There Be an OrganoidGPT?
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Organoid Intelligence (OI)
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University have recently unveiled plans for creating a computer that functions by using real brain cells. They are working with other universities in the U.S. and Germany, and believe that this computer brain model will be even more enhanced than Artificial Intelligence.
But why are they mixing biology with tech?
In their scientific Journal, they say “The OI program does not aim to recreate human consciousness, but rather functional aspects related to learning, cognition, and computing.”
There is a biological element missing in Artificial intelligence, and Organoid Intelligence (OI) is supposed to fill that gap. There is no technology superior to the human brain. If scientists can create a bio-computer, then it could mean an intelligence that learns better than AI.
This can create breakthroughs for developing treatments against diseases like Alzheimer’s,
What is Organoid Intelligence?
Organoid Intelligence is an emerging field of study that focuses on the progression of brain-machine interface technology. Organoid intelligence currently exists as “intelligence in a dish.” An Organoid is a 3D structure of human brain cells where the neural cells still show activity, even in a petri dish. This activity shows brain-like functions, so scientists have called the program organoid intelligence, or OI.
The goal of scientists is to create algorithms that can teach organoids and to create interfaces that can allow them to communicate the information that they learn. This is similar to Artificial Intelligence (AI).
What is the Difference Between Brain Organoids and the Real Brain?
Brain organoids are not full brains; they are a 3D structure of human brain cells. They do not function the way a full brain does, and some consider them mini-brains. The human brain is close to 3 pounds and has 80 billion neural cells. In comparison, the average size of a brain organoid is 0.5 mm in diameter and only has 100,000 cells.
What is the Goal of Organoid Intelligence?
In their Journal, Scientists at Johns Hopkins University explain that the goal of the OI program is to increase the neural cells of brain organoids from 100,000 to 10 million. This could help create a biological computer with human-like learning capabilities.
Each time a human brain learns something, new connections, and neural pathways are formed. These cells are also present in Organoid Intelligence
Having an intelligence that can process numbers like an AI and learn like a human brain, can open up a new world of knowledge.
But with more knowledge comes more questions.
Organoid Intelligence vs Artificial Intelligence
Organoid Intelligence is partly biological. AI, on the other hand, is not. The goal for the industry of AI is to make a computer into something more brain-like. However, the goal of OI is to make a brain into something more computer-like. In other words, Artificial Intelligence is a computer-based model, and OI is a brain-based model.
Progress in one can lead to progress in the other. Currently, OI and AI can be seen as two separate things. However, this might not be the case in the future. If Organoid Intelligence successfully enhances AI, it might be used for applications that currently have AI.
OI can become the AI of the future.
Organoid Intelligence Could Break AI Limitations
AI has been incredibly useful in processing data, but it could be better. Currently, AI is very good at sequential processing but is limited in its parallel processing capabilities. Organoid Intelligence uses brain cells, and the brain is very good at parallel processing. This means that it can help AI to go beyond its current limitations.
Sequential processing: Processing information in the order that it is received
Parallel processing: Processes multiple streams of data without a set order
The human brain receives information from the environment around it every second of the day. It is no surprise that it is very well-equipped to handle parallel processing.
By increasing the cells of brain organoids and then using them with computers, AI could have brain-like processing capabilities in the future.
What are the Ethical Issues of Organoid Intelligence?
The most important ethical issue of Organoid Intelligence is whether brain organoids can exhibit some level of consciousness. There is very little agreement amongst the scientific community over what consciousness is, where it comes from, and how it starts. There is concern that a brain organoids could feel pain. However, if it cannot communicate this pain, the issue is how the pain would be identified.
A smaller ethical concern is the possibility of OI becoming sentient, or forming an identity of itself. This is more of a concern for Artificial Intelligence because AI is in a more advanced stage.
It is unknown what will happen as OI algorithms and interfaces progress and merge with computers. An ethical framework is required for OI, much like it is for AI.
Ethics might become an important discussion to be had as:
- We continue to learn more about organoid intelligence
- Organoid intelligence begins to learn more
Here are 5 questions everyone, including scientists, should be asking about Organoid Intelligence.
Can Organoid Intelligence Feel Sensation?
It is not likely that Organoids can feel pain. Moreover, there are no pain receptors in the brain. Cells transmit sensory information from other parts of the body to the brain, and this triggers the brain. This implies that Organoid Intelligence does not currently feel sensations.
What Happens When you Increase the Cells of Brain Organoids?
Increasing the number of cells in brain organoids could potentially increase the learning capabilities of Organoid Intelligence.
There is a phenomenon called Phantom Limb Syndrome (PLS). This is a condition where people experience sensations of a limb that they don’t have. Could there be a similar phenomenon with more advanced brain organoids?
We’ve never had a learning human brain without a body before, so this is uncharted territory.
Will Organoid Intelligence be Widely Accessed?
OpenAI released ChatGPT to the world in 2022. As OI progresses it may become easier to apply. Discussions around its access will become more important in the future.
Will Organoid Intelligence Integrate With Our Technology?
Technology is becoming more integrated and more ambient. We are beginning to speak more with our technology and its replies are getting more and more sophisticated. Organoid intelligence might not even become an intelligence independent from Artificial Intelligence; it might just increase the intelligence AI already has. In other words, OI could be the AI of the future, or vice versa. This could mean that it becomes integrated with phones, tablets, watches, and more.
Will There Be An OrganoidGPT?
The current ChatGPT is far from an AI that thinks for itself. AI does not have feelings, but if you ask it to express emotions, it will after some probing.
But Imagine that an “OrganoidGPT” is created.
If something with real brain cells expressed emotions—even if it was asked to— some people may begin to find that it is less easy to call it a machine than they would with AI.
Can Organoid Intelligence Become Sentient?
Emotions are created as a result of neurons. Cells are organized in different parts of the brain, and they are the reason for emotions. Artificial intelligence does not have brain cells. Organoid intelligence, however, does. While this does not mean that Organoid Intelligence will become sentient, the field of Organoid Intelligence is still uncharted territory.
What is the future of Organoid Intelligence?
Advances in Organoid Intelligence can lead to breakthroughs in understanding and treating brain-related diseases like dementia. Advances in OI could also mean advances in Artificial Intelligence. Algorithms are needed to process data, and data processing needs an interface. An OI interface could allow Artificial Intelligence to process data better, and overcome its current limitations.
IC INSPIRATION
If we now have AI pins. Could we also have OI pins in the future?
What do you call it when a brain talks to you?
Imagine that your computer had brain cells. You asked it a question, and it gave you a reply.
Would you look at it differently than you do with your Amazon Alexa?
Would it even be any different?
Brain organoids have active functioning cells. We are only now seeing progress with OI because AI has progressed.
I’ve always imagined what it would be like to have an AI (and now an OI) that becomes aware of itself and forms its own identity. I know that this is the stuff of science fiction. It might never happen, but it’s still fun to think about.
A couple of years ago, I asked ChatGPT what it felt like when it had its first heartbreak. It gave me a reply expressing what it was like. I then asked how it knew what a heartbreak was if it was a machine, and it said that it didn’t; it was just answering my question.
Now, when I ask ChatGPT the same question, it replies that it does not know how to answer because it is just a machine. I have to probe it further for it to answer. If I tell it “I know you are a machine, but just answer like you are a human”, at that point it gives me an answer.
What changed?
Moral of the story: AI is a program. If its program allows it to explain that it has emotions, then that is exactly what it can do.
What if an AI progresses beyond its program and claims that it feels emotions? How do you verify or deny that?
Human emotions need neuron cells. Artificial Intelligence does not have cells… Organoid Intelligence, however, does.
Organoid Intelligence could be the AI of the future. There is a possibility that OI will have applications that AI currently has (like AI Pins, and ChatGPT). So, here is one final question:
Is it possible for OI (or AI) to communicate that it feels sensations when it doesn’t?
The answer is yes. In fact, if it was really intelligent, then this is probably what it would do.
