The Scientists Growing Living Computers in Swiss Labs (Ep. 292)

Data Science at Home

Fred Jordan, Co-CEO of FinalSpark, takes us inside the radical world of biological computing, where real neurons extracted from human tissue are being trained to solve problems that would require 10 megawatts in silicon. We explore the life support systems keeping these "wetware" processors alive, the ethical quandaries of computation performed by living cells, and why the messiness of biology might be exactly what AI needs next. From training cycles and reproducibility challenges to the surprising behaviors these neural networks display, Jordan paints a picture of 2030 where your devices might be powered by something closer to a brain than a chip. Sponsors This episode is proudly sponsored by Amethix Technologies. At the intersection of ethics and engineering, Amethix creates AI systems that don’t just function—they adapt, learn, and serve. With a focus on dual-use innovation, Amethix is shaping a future where intelligent machines extend human capability, not replace it. Discover more at https://amethix.com This episode is brought to you by Intrepid AI. From drones to satellites, Intrepid AI gives engineers and defense innovators the tools to prototype, simulate, and deploy autonomous systems with confidence. Whether it's in the sky, on the ground, or in orbit—if it's intelligent and mobile, Intrepid helps you build it. Learn more at intrepid.ai References Website: finalspark.com Discord account: / discord Newsletter: https://finalspark.com/#newsletter Topics: Biological computing • Neural engineering • Energy-efficient AI • Wetware vs hardware • The future of computation