Part 2/5:
Power Efficiency and Biological Advantages
The human brain, for example, runs on roughly 20 watts of power, a remarkably low energy requirement considering its capabilities. Neurons, which can be cultivated in laboratory settings, potentially offer a sustainable and energy-efficient alternative to digital processors that often rely on graphics processing units (GPUs). GPUs power most AI systems today, but they are expensive to produce and environmentally taxing due to their high energy consumption.
Given this, scientists are exploring the possibility of building AI systems using living neurons. Such systems could emulate human-like cognition while maintaining a minimal energy footprint.