Neural networks have become a hot topic over the last decade, put to work on jobs from recognizing image content to generating text and even playing video games. However, these artificial neural networks are essentially just piles of maths inside a computer, and while they are capable of great things, the technology hasn’t yet shown the capability to produce genuine intelligence.

Cortical Labs, based down in Melbourne, Australia, has a different approach. Rather than rely solely on silicon, their work involves growing real biological neurons on electrode arrays, allowing them to be interfaced with digital systems. Their latest work has shown promise that these real biological neural networks can be made to learn, according to a pre-print paper that is yet to go through peer review.

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The broad aim of the work is to harness biological neurons for their computational power, in an attempt to create “synthetic biological intelligence”. The general idea is that biological neurons have far more complexity and capability than any neural networks simulated in software. Thus, if one wishes to create a viable intelligence from scratch, it makes more sense to use biological neurons rather than messing about with human-created simulations of such.

The team behind the project investigated neural networks grown from both mouse and human cells. Mouse cortical cells were harvested from embryos for the purpose, while in the human cell case, pluripotent stem cells were used and differentiated into cortical neurons for the purpose of testing. These cells were plated onto a high-density multielectrode array from Maxwell Biosystems.

Once deposited and properly cultured in the lab, the cells formed “densely-interconnected dendritic networks” across the surface of the electrode array. These could then be stimulated electronically via the electrode array, and the responses of the neurons read back in turn. The result was a system nicknamed DishBrain, for the simple fact that it consists of neural matter essentially living in a petri dish.

DishBrain was put to the test in a simulated game environment reminiscent of the game Pong. The biological neural network (BNN) has a series of electrodes that were stimulated based on the game state, providing the cells with sensory input. Other electrodes were then assigned to control the up and down movement of the paddle in the game.

A variety of feedback approaches were then used to see if the neural network could be taught to control the game intelligently. The primary idea was based around the Free Energy Principle, in which biological systems aim to act to maintain a world state that matches their own internal models. Thus, the “Stimulus” condition feedback loop was designed to provide unpredictable random feedback when the ball was missed by the paddle, and predictable feedback when the paddle hit the ball properly. This method was then contrasted against a silent mode where stimulus was entirely cut when the paddle hit the ball, and a no-feedback mode where no special stimulus was provided relative to the gamestate.  A rest mode was also used to get a baseline reading of activity when unstimulated.

The results showed that, initially, there was little difference in game performance between the different modes, with the Stimulus condition performing slightly worse. However, after the first five minutes, statistics showed that under the Stimulus condition, the neural network maintained longer rallies of hitting the ball repeatedly, and was less likely to miss the initial serve, compared to the silent and no-feedback modes. In fact, the Stimulus condition was also the only condition in which the network showed improved performance over time, suggesting evidence of a learning effect. In comparison, the silent and no-feedback modes maintained a relatively flat performance level  throughout a full 20-minute test.

The research, yet to be peer reviewed, shows much promise in several areas. Not only is it more evidence that we can successfully grow and interface with neuronal cells, it also provides a platform for a better understanding of how our brains work, on both a conceptual and physical level. If the results are confirmed to be valid, it suggests that the research team essentially managed to grow a very simple brain in a vat, and trained it to control a video game. Professional e-sports players should be on warning! (OK, maybe not yet.)

The paper makes for dense reading, but it shows that there is real potential for biological neurons to be trained to intelligently complete tasks in concert with digital interfaces. While it’s early days yet, in a few decades, you might be topping up your self-driving car with a vial of neuronal growth medium to ensure you can safely make it across the country on your roadtrip without it accidentally merging into traffic. Humanity is just learning how to interface with real biological brains, and it may be that we master that before we succeed in creating our own from scratch!