Brainoware: Integrating Brain Cells with AI for Voice Recognition

Scientists at Indiana University Bloomington have developed a system called "Brainoware" that integrates living human brain cells into computing systems. The organoids, which are artificially grown masses of cells that resemble an organ, are currently mounted on a multielectrode array and are used to complete advanced AI tasks. The researchers believe that this fusion of brain cells and AI could potentially lead to more efficient and low-energy biocomputers. While current AI hardware consumes millions of watts, a human brain typically uses only 20 watts. Brainoware aims to replicate the complexity, connectivity, neuroplasticity, and neurogenesis of biological neural networks, while also minimizing energy consumption and enabling fast learning. The researchers demonstrated the practical potential of Brainoware by training the organoids to identify individual speakers' voices with over 70% accuracy. However, the system is still in the early stages of development and has limitations such as the inability to understand speech. The researchers also recognize the need for ethical considerations in advancing this technology.