Scientists are turning human brain cells into functional computers

Scientists are pioneering the development of biocomputers made from living human brain cells, specifically lab-grown neurons formed into organoids connected to electrodes to perform computational tasks. These biocomputers currently handle simple functions, such as playing the game Pong or recognizing Braille letters, and operate with significantly greater energy efficiency than traditional silicon-based computers. The technology builds on decades of neuroscience research, with a major leap occurring in 2013 when brain organoids—3D structures grown from stem cells—became widely used for studying brain function and drug testing. Despite promising advances, biocomputing remains in its infancy, with ongoing efforts focused on growing human neurons into functional systems comparable to biological transistors. The field faces ethical challenges, as current guidelines treat organoids merely as biomedical tools, even though some researchers have raised concerns about the implications of terms like “embodied sentience” and “organoid intelligence.” Experts generally agree that current organoids are not conscious, but there is a pressing need