What is SBI?

'a close-up of a circuit board'

Synthetic Biological Intelligence (SBI) refers to the use of synthetic biology to generate intelligent systems through brain-directed computing[2][1]. However, this definition uses simple 2D monolayer cell cultures as a proof-of-concept, which poorly replicate the complexity of the in vivo brain[2]. Cortical Labs defines SBI as a real-time learning system able to display generalised intelligence and function with relatively low power consumption[1]. The DishBrain system is the first real-time SBI platform that demonstrates that biological neurons can adjust firing activity to perform goal-oriented tasks when provided with simple electrophysiological sensory input and feedback while embodied in a game-world[3]. SBI may also prove useful in researching how to understand or treat illnesses, through preclinical drug discovery and cell-based disease modelling[1]. Current research indicates that SBI may offer the research community a simple model to help understand intelligence[1].

[1] rsv.org.au