In vitro neurons learn and exhibit sentience when embodied in a simulated game-world

Kagan, Brett J.; Kitchen, Andy C.; Tran, Nhi T.; Habibollahi, Forough; Khajehnejad, Moein; Parker, Bradyn J.; Bhat, Anjali; Rollo, Ben; Razi, Adeel; Friston, Karl J.

doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2022.09.001

Cited by 97 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 59 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…He described how, in 2001, Steve Potter and colleagues at Georgia Tech used cultured 2D rat cells to control a robot and have it explore its environment (Demarse et al, 2001). Now, in 2021, as a proof-of-concept of intelligence and trainability using 2D cultures, colleagues from Cortical Labs (also workshop participants) are able to train neurons to play pong (Kagan et al, 2022). Hartung highlighted the improvements that bioengineering and stem cell technology have had on MPS such as organ-on-chip, scaffoldbased 3D tissue, organoids, and organ/human-on-chip, as well as their collective potential for improving drug development.…”

Section: Opening Remarksmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

First Organoid Intelligence (OI) workshop to form an OI community

Pantoja

Smirnova

Muotri

et al. 2023

Front. Artif. Intell.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The brain is arguably the most powerful computation system known. It is extremely efficient in processing large amounts of information and can discern signals from noise, adapt, and filter faulty information all while running on only 20 watts of power. The human brain's processing efficiency, progressive learning, and plasticity are unmatched by any computer system. Recent advances in stem cell technology have elevated the field of cell culture to higher levels of complexity, such as the development of three-dimensional (3D) brain organoids that recapitulate human brain functionality better than traditional monolayer cell systems. Organoid Intelligence (OI) aims to harness the innate biological capabilities of brain organoids for biocomputing and synthetic intelligence by interfacing them with computer technology. With the latest strides in stem cell technology, bioengineering, and machine learning, we can explore the ability of brain organoids to compute, and store given information (input), execute a task (output), and study how this affects the structural and functional connections in the organoids themselves. Furthermore, understanding how learning generates and changes patterns of connectivity in organoids can shed light on the early stages of cognition in the human brain. Investigating and understanding these concepts is an enormous, multidisciplinary endeavor that necessitates the engagement of both the scientific community and the public. Thus, on Feb 22–24 of 2022, the Johns Hopkins University held the first Organoid Intelligence Workshop to form an OI Community and to lay out the groundwork for the establishment of OI as a new scientific discipline. The potential of OI to revolutionize computing, neurological research, and drug development was discussed, along with a vision and roadmap for its development over the coming decade.

show abstract

Section: Opening Remarksmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is, however, important to take full advantage of the intelligence/computing capabilities of current models. Simple 2D cultures have been trained to play pong (Kagan et al, 2022), and have controlled robotic navigation (Demarse et al, 2001).…”

Section: Brain Organoids Trackmentioning

confidence: 99%

First Organoid Intelligence (OI) workshop to form an OI community

Pantoja

Smirnova

Muotri

et al. 2023

Front. Artif. Intell.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Since the first breakthrough paper [ 13 ], HCOs have continued to show their potentialities, but have also sparked interest and raised several issues. The fast pace of the research and some features of cerebral organoids—such as their potential capacity to receive sensory inputs [ 6 ], send functional outputs [ 7 ], or present synchronized electrical activity [ 18 , 20 ] and exhibit a form of learning [ 8 ]—have increased ethical concerns. This has given rise to controversy about the possibility of cultivating conscious brain organoids and the need for new rules for this area of research.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ethical issues may also arise regarding the donation of biological samples: these include the possible uses of the organoids, as well as the donors’ consent and privacy. In addition, other relevant questions are related to the creation of chimeras with HCOs and their connection to digital devices to create new types of biological hybrids [ 4 , 8 ]. Recently, the discussion has entered the laboratory, and, besides neuroethicists, researchers have also started raising questions [ 11 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human cerebral organoids: the ethical stance of scientists

Lavazza

Chinaia

2023

Stem Cell Res Ther

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Human cerebral organoids (HCOs) offer unprecedented opportunities to study the human brain in vitro, but they also raise important ethical concerns. Here we report the first systematic analysis of scientists’ stance within the ethical debate. Method Twenty-one in-depth semi-structured interviews were analyzed through a constant comparative method to highlight how the ethical concerns filter in the laboratory. Results The results suggest that the potential emergence of consciousness is not yet seen with concern. However, there are some features of HCO research that need to be better accounted for. Communication to the public, the use of terms such as “mini-brains”, and informed consent appear to be the most pressing concerns of the scientific community. Nonetheless, respondents generally showed a positive attitude toward the ethical discussion, recognizing its value and the necessity of constant ethical scrutiny over scientific advancements. Conclusions This research paves the way for a better-informed dialogue between scientists and ethicists, highlighting the issues to be addressed whenever scholars of different backgrounds and interests meet.

show abstract

“…undreds of thousands of human neurons growing in a dish coated with electrodes have been taught to play a version of the classic computer game Pong 1 . In doing so, the cells join a growing pantheon of Pong players, including pigs taught to manipulate joysticks with their snouts 2 and monkeys wired to control the game with their minds.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurons in a dish learn to play Pong — what’s next?

Ledford¹

2022

Nature

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In vitro neurons learn and exhibit sentience when embodied in a simulated game-world

Cited by 97 publications

References 59 publications

First Organoid Intelligence (OI) workshop to form an OI community

First Organoid Intelligence (OI) workshop to form an OI community

Human cerebral organoids: the ethical stance of scientists

Neurons in a dish learn to play Pong — what’s next?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About