AI can’t match the intelligence levels of humans, so scientists have now given AI a human brain — sort of. Researchers at Tianjin University in China have developed a human-like robot that works using human brain cells. Although the concept may sound like something out of a sci-fi movie at first, according to the researchers, this human-robot hybrid with human brain cells could pave the way for human-robot intelligence.

According to New Atlas, this new successful robot is described as a “brain on a chip,” which uses stem cells that were originally created to grow into human brain cells. These cells were integrated with a computer chip via an electrode, enabling the robot to process information and perform various tasks. This setup allowed the robot to encode and decode information, completing actions ranging from navigating around obstacles to grasping objects.

This human-like robot is part of what researchers call “the world’s first open-source brain-on-chip intelligent complex information interaction system,” according to the report. Unlike normal robots, which rely on pre-programmed instructions, this new human brain robot uses its brain implants to learn and adapt to its environment. Although it does not have traditional visual capabilities, it responds to electrical signals and sensory input, which guides its movements and actions. Human brain cells help the robot manage its hand movements to avoid obstacles, track targets, and grasp objects, functioning entirely through electrical signals and sensory input.

According to the researchers, this new development is more than just a new integration of biology and technology; it represents a leap in computational intelligence. Traditional AI systems rely on algorithms and data processing capabilities that, despite their advanced nature, are still inferior to the learning speed and innate abilities of human brain cells. However, biocomputers have the ability to learn rapidly using minimal power, a testament to the efficiency and adaptability of biological systems.

The publication explains that in a similar project called DishBrain at Monash University in Australia, researchers observed that human neurons can learn tasks much faster than AI. “The researchers grew about 800,000 brain cells on a chip, placed it in a simulated environment, and watched this awesome cyborg learn to play Pong within about five minutes. The project was promptly funded by the Australian military and spun off into a company called Cortical Labs.”

In a statement to New Atlas, Cortical Labs Chief Scientific Officer Brett Kagan revealed that although humanoids with human brain cells are in their early stages, human neuron-augmented biocomputers have been shown to learn faster and use much less power than artificial intelligence machine learning chips. They also offer “more intuition, insight, and creativity.”

Researchers believe advances in anthropomorphic organisms containing human brain cells could lead to significant advances in medical science, particularly in the treatment of neurological conditions. One promising application is repairing damage to the human brain cortex. By replacing lost neurons and rebuilding neural circuits, doctors may be able to transplant brain organoids to restore brain function in patients with neurological damage.

However, despite the promising prospects, this technology raises important ethical questions. As the integration of human brain cells into robots becomes more advanced, the line between biological intelligence and artificial intelligence becomes blurred. Ensuring the ethical development and use of such technologies will be an important consideration for the scientific community. Additionally, according to Brett Kagan, another disadvantage of these machines is the wetware – the machines containing the brain cells – which require maintenance, such as feeding them, watering them, controlling the temperature, and protecting them from germs and viruses.