Key Takeaways
- Brain organoids can perform functions similar to AI systems but may fall outside current regulations.
- The hybrid approach of biological cells plus technological interfaces creates regulatory confusion.
- As bio-computing advances, this gap could become increasingly significant.
- Current AI regulations may need updating to address biological computing systems.
As governments worldwide rush to regulate artificial intelligence, a fascinating project sits in a regulatory blind spot. The “Revivification” installation in Australia uses actual brain cells grown from the deceased composer Alvin Lucier‘s blood samples to create new music. Despite functioning much like an AI system, this biological approach may escape the rules designed for computer algorithms.
The Bio-Brain That Makes Music
✓ Brain organoids on pedestal generate music
✓ 20 brass plates respond to neural signals
✓ Project began in 2018 with Lucier’s involvement
In Perth’s Art Gallery of Western Australia, two small white blobs sit on a pedestal. These aren’t just any blobs—they’re clusters of neurons grown from Lucier’s stem cells. Connected to 20 brass plates on the walls, these neurons fire electrical signals that trigger sounds, effectively composing new music beyond the grave.
The project began in 2018 when the team started brainstorming with Lucier himself. Despite his Parkinson’s diagnosis, the composer donated blood samples in 2020, allowing scientists to reprogram his white blood cells into stem cells and grow them into brain-like organoids.
During the pandemic, the team held biweekly Zoom calls with Lucier, refining the project until his death in 2021. “We were like art students learning from the professor,” recalls artist Nathan Thompson.
The organoids rest on a mesh of 64 electrodes, capturing neural signals that feed into an open-source platform. This system converts the brain activity into sound, creating a live performance that responds to the gallery’s environment. Microphones pick up ambient noise—visitors’ voices, the clang of brass plates—and convert it into electrical signals fed back into the organoids. “We’re curious if the organoid will learn over time,” says team member Guy Ben-Ary.
Today’s AI Regulation Landscape
2024 has been a landmark year for AI regulation. The European Union implemented its EU AI Act in August, which includes strict rules for high-risk AI systems. The UK is developing its own regulations, while the US has taken steps toward AI governance through various agencies. These frameworks focus primarily on algorithmic systems and software-based AI.
The Regulatory Blind Spot
✓ Current AI regulations target computer-based systems
✓ Revivification uses human brain cells, not algorithms
✓ Biological approach potentially bypasses digital regulations
Here’s where things get tricky: most current AI regulations target computer-based systems that use algorithms and machine learning. The Revivification project creates outputs similar to AI music generators but uses actual human brain cells instead of algorithms. This biological approach potentially bypasses regulations designed for digital systems.
Scientists are already developing more advanced versions of this technology. “Brainoware” combines electronic hardware with human brain organoids to perform complex tasks like recognizing speech patterns and solving mathematical equations. These hybrid systems occupy a middle ground between traditional computers and biological intelligence.
Why This Matters
✓ Brain organoids escape AI system oversight
✓ Hybrid approach blurs regulatory boundaries
✓ Organoids mimic AI learning without safeguards
This regulatory gap raises important questions. If a brain organoid can compose music or solve problems like an AI system but isn’t subject to the same oversight, are we creating a loophole in our tech governance? The Revivification team’s hybrid approach — biological cells interfaced with technology—blurs regulatory lines further.
The issues extend beyond classification. These organoids receive external stimuli through microphones in the gallery, potentially allowing them to respond to their environment and “learn” over time. This mimics core functions of regulated AI systems without the corresponding safeguards.
A New Frontier Needs New Rules
✓ Bio-computing challenges current regulatory frameworks
✓ Line between AI and biological intelligence blurring
✓ Redefining “artificial” systems requiring oversight
As researchers continue exploring bio-computing and organoid technology, regulators need to consider whether current frameworks are sufficient. The Revivification project demonstrates that the line between AI and biological intelligence is already blurring, challenging our definitions of what constitutes an “artificial” system requiring oversight
Alvin Lucier’s daughter Amanda found the project fitting. “She laughed and said this is so my dad,” shares Ben-Ary. “He arranged to keep performing forever. He just can’t stop“. This personal touch highlights the human aspect of blending biology with technology — and the ethical questions it raises.
