Human Brain Cells Learn to Play Doom: A Breakthrough in Biological Computing

In a significant development for biological computing, Australian biotech startup Cortical Labs has successfully taught living human brain cells to play the classic video game "Doom." This achievement builds on their previous work, where they demonstrated that a clump of 800,000 to one million neurons could play "Pong." The new demonstration showcases the neurons' ability to engage with a more complex, three-dimensional environment, marking a notable advancement in the field of biological computing.

FuturismNew ScientistA Petri Dish Of Human Brain Neurons Just Learned How To Play Doom

Cortical Labs utilized its CL1 biological computer, which combines living neurons with silicon technology. The neurons were derived from skin or blood samples of voluntary adult donors, reprogrammed into stem cells, and then differentiated into neurons. To enable the neurons to interact with "Doom," the company developed an interface that translates the game's digital environment into electrical patterns that the neurons can process. This adaptation allowed independent developer Sean Cole to teach the neurons to play "Doom" in less than a week using the newly created Python-based Application Programming Interface (API).

A Petri Dish Of Human Brain Neurons Just Learned How To Play Doom

While the neurons demonstrated the ability to perform basic actions in the game, such as shooting and moving, their performance remains rudimentary compared to human players. Cortical Labs' chief scientific officer, Brett Kagan, noted that the neurons currently play like beginners, but they exhibit potential for improvement. The neurons' learning speed surpasses that of traditional silicon-based systems, suggesting that they could enhance their gameplay with more advanced learning algorithms.

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Experts in the field have expressed excitement about the implications of this breakthrough. Steve Furber, a professor at the University of Manchester, acknowledged the complexity of "Doom" compared to "Pong" and highlighted the need for further understanding of how the neurons interpret the game. Yoshikatsu Hayashi from the University of Reading emphasized that the ability to cope with complexity and real-time decision-making brings biological computers closer to practical applications, such as controlling robotic arms.

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Despite the scientific achievement, some observers have raised ethical concerns regarding the use of living brain cells in computing. Reactions on social media have varied, with some expressing discomfort about the implications of biological entities playing video games. The potential for future applications in biotechnology raises questions about the moral and ethical boundaries of such technologies.

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Cortical Labs aims to further enhance the neurons' gameplay in "Doom" and explore more complex tasks. The rapid development of the Python API and the ability to rent CL1 time through the cloud could democratize access to this technology, potentially leading to innovative applications in various fields. As researchers continue to explore the capabilities of biological computers, the intersection of biology and technology promises to reshape our understanding of computation and learning.

A Petri Dish Of Human Brain Neurons Just Learned How To Play Doom

• “It’s this accessibility and this flexibility that makes it truly exciting.” — Brett Kagan, Chief Scientific Officer, Cortical Labs

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• “What’s exciting here is not just that a biological system can play Doom, but that it can cope with complexity, uncertainty, and real-time decision-making,” — Andrew Adamatzky, University of the West of England

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• “Right now, the cells play a lot like a beginner who’s never seen a computer,” — Brett Kagan, Chief Scientific Officer, Cortical Labs

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