Wi-Fi for neurons (1)

A recent article (1) suggests that neurons transmit and communicate information over large distances using neuropeptides, casting serious doubts about our current understanding of the neuron connectome and how the brain processes information. This may also have implications for artificial intelligence and the design of future systems. Although it has been well known that the brain does not work anything like mathematical neural networks, the idea that the brain’s computational cells do not work like a connected system but rather utilize a wide area network to send and receive information introduces a new paradigm.

Recent engineers may be a bit more excitable than their predecessors. News that a recent technology CEO may have been fired based on a memo from the company’s engineers warning the board that a “great recent discovery,” is going to eliminate humanity is symptomatic of irrational exuberance in technology. Meanwhile, the large “artificial mind,” company seems to have recently recognized that the “transformer,” is not going to transform anything. It has always been misguided thinking that technology can model the brain and any advancement in artificial intelligence may need to be termed efficient automation. There is no doubt that the technology has the potential to replace humans in most repetitive jobs but that is a far cry from AI taking over humanity.

As the technologists start to manufacture brain, mind and soul of humans, they may need to consider the distance between technology and the biological brain.

(1) Wi-Fi for neurons: first map of wireless nerve signals unveiled in worms (nature.com)