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Effort to Create Virtual Brain Begins

Posted by Zonk on from the please-don't-kill-us-all dept.

bryan8m writes "An IBM supercomputer running on 22.8 teraflops of processing power will be involved in an effort to create the first computer simulation of the entire human brain. From the article: 'The hope is that the virtual brain will help shed light on some aspects of human cognition, such as perception, memory and perhaps even consciousness.' It should also help us understand brain malfunctions and 'observe the electrical code our brains use to represent the world.'"

3 of 454 comments (clear)

  1. Thoughts on virtual thoughts by IO+ERROR · · Score: 5, Insightful
    All it takes to simulate a human brain is 22.8 teraflops? I thought I was smarter than that.

    Seriously, they expect it to take a decade to complete. By 2015, we could probably get processors with that kind of power from the local computer store. Then everyone could have their own virtual brain...wait, are they going to GPL this?

    So what happens if this thing develops a consciousness?

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    How am I supposed to fit a pithy, relevant quote into 120 characters?
  2. Obligatory HAL quote by harlemjoe · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "without your space helmet Dave, you're going to find that rather difficult"

    2001

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    shooting is not too good for my enemies
  3. Wishful thinking by bloodredsun · · Score: 5, Insightful

    As someone who's spent many years as a neurophysiology researcher before becoming a programmer I feel I may have a bit more insight than the average person. What this project boils down to is a simplistic model of the simplist unit of operation of one area of the brain (neocortical column). Anyone who has followed research into areas such as epilepsy and memory will know of the massive gaps in our understanding of the realtionship of the brain and the mind. So this "first computer simulation of the entire human brain" is neither accurate in the sense that they are not simulating the human brain, nor are they the first to try what they are attempting. They only difference here is that they have the very public backing of a major corporation who understand the benefit of good publicity.

    This sort of research is fascinating and despetately needs to be done, but it does no one any favours when people associate tabloid style headlines to it. The days when we wear Richard Morgan style "stacks" are still as far away as ever unfortunately.