A computer the size of a brain

Hello and welcome to New Scientist’s weekly round-up of the best stories in science and technology. This time, we’ve got a bit of a theme – artificial intelligence and human brains.

Supercomputer that simulates entire human brain will switch on in 2024

Neuromorphic computing – which aims to mimic the way biological neurons process data – is set for its biggest boost yet next year. A team in Australia are building a neuromorphic supercomputer called DeepSouth that will be capable of 228 trillion synaptic operations per second , which is on par with the estimated number of synaptic operations in a human brain. The hope is it could help advance both computing and neuroscience.

AI made from living human brain cells performs speech recognition

Going in almost the opposite direction, researchers are working on making small computers using living human brain cells. Their latest effort uses these “brain organoids” to create an artificial intelligence capable of speech recognition, although the accuracy leaves something to be desired.

Mind-reading AI can translate brainwaves into written text

And finally, here’s an AI that interfaces with the brain, rather than attempting to mimic it. Systems that can turn thoughts into words are nothing new, but normally require very bulky machinery or invasive brain implants. Now, researchers have done the same thing with a cap that records electrical brain activity through the scalp , making it much more convenient.

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Jacob Aron, News Editor