When a neurosurgeon startup founder hooks up neurons to tiny electrodes, you get a novel way to train AI image models, and a brave new world of bioethics.
This is very troubling; I’m not surprised their founders urged them not to discuss their use of neurons. Using their incredible education and training not to cure human disease and suffering, but to strengthen AI. Wow. A big question I had- you never said what kind of neurons they’re using. Human or animal? And where did they get them? Thanks for reporting on this, Alex!
Hey Rosie! To clarify, it was one of their investors who said it might be simpler not to mention neurons.
The founders are neurosurgeons who have worked on procedures like open brain surgeries to help epileptic patients, and whether you agree with them or not, they're proud to use neurons in the work. I don't think they see using neurons for AI as mutually exclusive from helping people.
We get into how they derive the neurons in the episode, which I encourage you to watch/listen! The short answer: they have some neurons cultured from human stem cells (skin tissue), and some from rats. They don't mix the two; I was sure to ask. TBC's CEO talks about the ethics, and why these neurons are "living" but not "sentient," as well.
Thanks for clarifying. I had assumed the write-up summarized the interview. I’ll be sure to watch!
The write-ups are my top 3 takeaways from each episode, but thanks for the nudge to make that clearer!
This is very troubling; I’m not surprised their founders urged them not to discuss their use of neurons. Using their incredible education and training not to cure human disease and suffering, but to strengthen AI. Wow. A big question I had- you never said what kind of neurons they’re using. Human or animal? And where did they get them? Thanks for reporting on this, Alex!
Hey Rosie! To clarify, it was one of their investors who said it might be simpler not to mention neurons.
The founders are neurosurgeons who have worked on procedures like open brain surgeries to help epileptic patients, and whether you agree with them or not, they're proud to use neurons in the work. I don't think they see using neurons for AI as mutually exclusive from helping people.
We get into how they derive the neurons in the episode, which I encourage you to watch/listen! The short answer: they have some neurons cultured from human stem cells (skin tissue), and some from rats. They don't mix the two; I was sure to ask. TBC's CEO talks about the ethics, and why these neurons are "living" but not "sentient," as well.