Researches from RMIT created a chip inspired by a methodology called optogenetics used in brain science which mimics the brain’s function of having memories (RMIT University, 2019).
Optogenetics is a method in brain science to modify and manipulate activities of living beings using high precision light (Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, 2019). “Light-responsive proteins are allowing scientists to turn neurons on or off selectively with unprecedented precision. Introducing these proteins into cultured cells or the brains of live animals allows investigation of the structure and function of neural networks.” (Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, 2019). The chip developed by the Functional Materials and Microsystems Research Group at RMIT uses light to create photocurrent. Having photocurrent, differently colored light is used to create positive or negative current, which equals the creation or erasion of a memory respectively, i.e. learning and forgetting (RMIT University, 2019). The process of creating photocurrent on a chip has essentially the same function as the light used to modify and manipulate the brain of living beings. Having a chip performing these behavioral neural activities of creating and erasing memories, brings research a step closer to the realization of a bionic brain and light-based computing (RMIT University, 2019).
This is especially relevant for the research and development of artificial intelligence, as scientists have not yet gained a full understanding of how the human brain learns, stores, and forgets information. Reaching a higher level of understanding of the human brain’s functions ultimately leads to more sophisticated artificial neural networks moving closer to general artificial intelligence.
In his book Life 3.0 (2017) Max Tegmark lines out a range of perceptions on when general artificial intelligence (GAI – referring to a state of machines at which they can understand and perform or learn any task humans can do) is being reached. The time estimate until GAI arrives varies among the groups of experts from ‘within this decade’ to ‘not within the next 300 years’ (Tegmark, 2017).
In my personal opinion, the next 10 years will be crucial in the development of artificial intelligence. Technological breakthroughs such as the optogenetics inspired chip from the RMIT University showcase the rapid and self-enforcing research in the field of brain science and AI. I find it hard to understand the technocratic perspective of GAI to take centuries until realization. My lack of understanding of this estimation is not last due to the explosion of (digital) technologies and the exponential growth in data generated.
What do you think about bionic brains on a chip, General Artificial Intelligence and how we as a society should handle it in case it arrives?
Comment below, thanks 🙂
References
RMIT University. (2019, July 16). Electronic chip mimics the brain to make memories in a flash: Engineers have mimicked the human brain with an electronic chip that uses light to create and modify memories. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 28, 2019 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190716103408.htm
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft. (2019, September 28). Optogenetics. Max-Planck-Gesellschaft. Retrieved September 28, 2019 from https://www.mpg.de/18011/Optogenetics
Max Tegmark. (2017, August 23). Life 3.0 Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. Doubleday.
Hi Sven,
thanks for sharing your perspective and for attributing attention to the future of optogenetics.
I have to admit that I have never heard of them before, but after reading your article I am quite impressed by the possibilities of AI in that field. Taking this a step further, I think optogenetics even have the potential to better understand the brain and disorders that disrupt neural connections, such as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
I found an interesting article about thinking ahead in optogenetics at http://theconversation.com/an-electronic-chip-that-makes-memories-is-a-step-towards-creating-bionic-brains-119741 and can highly recommend reading it.
Hi Sven,
first of all, I appreciate that you have focused your blog on such a specific topic which appears to be highly complex and which deals with a research field that requires a general understanding of brain science. It is great to get an insight into the deeper functionality of AI and introducing such an important field of research makes people aware of the opportunities that the technology entails. Often, AI is just used as a general term and most people define it in various ways. Therefore, breaking it down by applying it to brain science and chip-technology gives it a more realistic touch and offers an overview of how far-reaching and disruptive it can be in the near future.
In my opinion, your selected topic is great as it contains quite a degree of irony. Technologies, not AI but others that we use in our everyday life, such as mobile phones, changed the way of how we think and how our brain stores information. Due to the overload of information that our brain receives by constantly opening applications or by regularly consuming media over various channels, the brains of younger generations already started to develop differently compared to generations before. By using even further developed technologies such as AI that helps us to understand our brain and its functioning, reflects perfectly the trade-off of how to think about constant developments in digitalisation and media consumption and even faster emerging technologies that become relevant to understand our being.
Referring back to your final question, in my opinion we have already reached a state in which we are highly dependent on such technologies that support us in understanding our behaviour and reaction to the already technology shaped world that we created. Especially AI will be a solution for giving us the opportunity to understand our human being better but, more importantly, to understand our life in co-existence with technology.
Thanks again for that inspirational topic!
This is a very interesting perspective on Artificial Intelligence. I think that bionic brains on a chip would be a great benefit for humanity in general. Considering how artificial intelligence evolves, I don’t think it will take too long for this to be implemented. Moreover, as Quantum computers such as the one build by Google become marketable, even more things will be possible through AI than just the functional mapping of the brain.
Hi Sven,
thanks for this insight, I actually never heard about that kind of technology before. Its applications will have a great impact on our modern society which will pose multiple new challenges to politicians and decision-makes in general. Overall, I believe that general Artificial Intelligence should always be treated as a complement to human intelligence. It should be used with caution and monitored constantly. But most importantly, transparency of AI is essential in order to understand the learning processes and detect the sources of potential errors/faulty knowledge sources to prevent negative outcomes.