Asger Risom
Researchers around the world are racing to push computing into unfamiliar territory.
Researchers around the world are racing to push computing into unfamiliar territory. Their latest pursuit blends lab-grown brain cells with electronics, creating experimental machines that behave less like traditional hardware and more like tiny biological networks.
The work is early and often controversial, yet it signals a shift that many scientists say could redefine how future systems learn, adapt and process information.
Rising interest
Biology’s intersection with computer science is deepening as investment in artificial intelligence accelerates. According to Science Alert, the surge of capital into AI startups, breakthroughs in growing brain tissue outside the human body, and rapid progress in brain-machine interfaces have collectively fueled momentum behind biocomputing research.
Scientists now routinely cultivate neurons on grids of electrodes and link them to digital devices. These hybrid systems can already manage basic tasks such as recognizing simple speech patterns or playing rudimentary games — signs, researchers say, of what biologically inspired computing might one day achieve.
Ethical doubts
Despite the optimism, major questions remain unresolved. Researchers still do not know how much cognitive potential these lab-grown structures possess. Although organoids derived from stem cells form three-dimensional clusters reminiscent of brain tissue, their activity is minimal and shows no proof of consciousness.
A 2022 study by Cortical Labs drew widespread attention when cultured neurons learned to play Pong. Media coverage highlighted the phrase “embodied consciousness,” but several neuroscientists argued the label overstated the system’s abilities and failed to reflect its limited function.
Regulatory lag
As the underlying technologies advance, ethical concerns have become more pressing. Existing rules largely apply to organoids used in biomedical settings and do not account for their emerging role in computational devices. Scientific groups warn that commercialization is moving faster than regulatory frameworks can adapt, urging governments to update guidelines before these living components outpace oversight mechanisms.
Researchers argue that without clearer standards, debates around consent, welfare and responsible use will only intensify.
A new alternative
For now, biocomputers remain prototypes. Companies such as FinalSpark, along with academic teams in several countries, are testing early models. Initial applications are appearing in drug development and epilepsy research, where organoids may help assess toxicity or reduce reliance on animal testing. Scientists say these targeted uses could mark the first practical phase of a field still years away from mainstream deployment.
Sources: Science Alert
