ŻYWE KOMPUTERY?! Polka tworzy przyszłość AI! Rozmowa z Eweliną Kurtys (FinalSpark)

Summary

Ewelina Kurtys discusses the FinalSpark Neuroplatform, a revolutionary bio-computing project using living neurons for energy-efficient information processing. Initially a research tool for scientists, the platform is gaining attention from startups and large companies eager to explore its future potential. Although still in early development, the technology promises significant energy savings compared to traditional digital computing. The conversation explores the challenges of maintaining neurons in a nutrient-rich medium, the long-term vision for commercialization, and the growing interest from both scientific and public audiences, making it a fascinating glimpse into the future of computing.

Takeaways

• 😀 The FinalSpark Neuroplatform initially attracted research-focused clients (universities and scientists) but has since expanded to include startups, private companies, and individual users.
• 😀 The project’s original goal was to build computers from living neurons, with the Neuroplatform being a side effect of the lab's remote access feature developed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 😀 The growing interest in FinalSpark Neuroplatform is driven by a belief in the future commercialization of the technology, with many investors and researchers seeing potential benefits in the long-term.
• 😀 One of the main advantages of using living neurons for computing is their expected energy efficiency. Even with lab costs, using neurons could be 10 times more cost-efficient than traditional digital computing methods.
• 😀 The use of living neurons in computing could lead to more biologically inspired information processing algorithms that may differ from traditional digital computers, potentially offering new advantages for tasks like image processing.
• 😀 Despite the excitement, neurons currently cannot operate remotely for extended periods like in portable devices (e.g., drones or smartphones), as they require constant access to nutrients and oxygen, similar to how our cells work.
• 😀 The vision is to have central labs that control and monitor the living computers remotely, instead of portable devices, which require highly controlled environments to maintain the neurons' health and functionality.
• 😀 Neural-based computing could help address the growing energy demands of AI, particularly with large language models, where energy consumption is a major concern that could rise exponentially in the future.
• 😀 There is increasing public and scientific interest in using biological computing, with many publications, media features, and even movies focusing on this innovative approach, suggesting a rising cultural fascination with the idea.
• 😀 The inspiration from the human brain’s energy efficiency is seen as key to advancing alternative information-processing methods that can lead to more energy-efficient AI technologies and beyond.
• 😀 Despite the challenges, including the need for controlled environments, the research community remains optimistic about the future possibilities of using neurons for computing, with the belief that this field could revolutionize AI and information processing.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the FinalSpark Neuroplatform project?

The main focus of the FinalSpark Neuroplatform project is to build computers using living neurons instead of digital components. The objective is to create energy-efficient computing systems by leveraging the biological properties of neurons for information processing.

How has the user base for the FinalSpark Neuroplatform evolved over time?

Initially, the users of the Neuroplatform were universities and scientific researchers due to its early stage of development. However, recently, there has been increasing interest from private companies, startups, and even individuals who are fascinated by the work and are willing to pay to access the platform.

What are the key drivers behind industry interest in the Neuroplatform?

The primary drivers for industry interest in the Neuroplatform are fascination with the technology and a belief in its future commercialization. Many industry players, including R&D teams in large companies and startups, are interested in exploring what may be possible in the next few years, with a focus on energy efficiency and the potential for breakthroughs in computing.

What is the primary advantage of using living neurons in computing, according to the researchers?

The primary advantage of using living neurons in computing is energy efficiency. Neurons, being biological systems, consume significantly less energy compared to traditional digital computers, even when factoring in the cost of maintaining the neurons and the precision required to keep them alive.

What are some potential differences between living neuron-based computers and traditional digital computers?

Living neuron-based computers may process information differently compared to digital computers. For example, while digital computers treat all data points equally, the human brain processes information selectively. This could lead to different algorithms and methods of processing, potentially offering new advantages in areas such as image recognition or data analysis, but with challenges in predicting the exact outcomes.

Can neurons in the Neuroplatform be used in portable devices like drones or smartphones?

No, neurons cannot be used in portable devices like drones or smartphones for long periods because they need to be kept in a liquid medium containing nutrients. The neurons require constant access to oxygen and nutrients, and this cannot be easily maintained in portable devices. While it is possible to create smaller, portable systems, the environment would need to replicate the lab conditions, which is a significant challenge.

What is the role of temperature in maintaining neurons in the Neuroplatform?

Temperature is a critical parameter for maintaining neurons in the Neuroplatform. Just like warm-blooded organisms, neurons need a stable physiological temperature to survive and function properly. This is a vital condition to ensure the neurons remain alive and capable of processing information.

Why is AI's increasing energy consumption a problem, and how does the FinalSpark Neuroplatform relate to this issue?

AI, particularly large language models, consumes an enormous amount of energy, with costs expected to rise exponentially. This growing demand for energy could become a significant issue in the future. The FinalSpark Neuroplatform offers a potential solution by using living neurons, which are highly energy-efficient, to process information, potentially offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional AI systems.

What are some of the different levels of approaches to making computers more energy-efficient, inspired by the human brain?

There are several approaches to making computers more energy-efficient by drawing inspiration from the human brain. These include simulations using traditional computers, modifying digital chip architectures to resemble the brain, incorporating analog elements into hardware, and ultimately, using real neurons instead of artificial elements to process information.

What has been the public reaction to the FinalSpark Neuroplatform's work?

The work of FinalSpark Neuroplatform has garnered a lot of public attention. While some people may be scared or skeptical about the idea, many are fascinated and interested in the potential of the technology. The increasing number of publications, social media interest, and press coverage, including appearances on platforms like Bloomberg, have added to the popularity of the project.