Episode 125: Computing With Living Neurons, Rethinking How AI Is Built

Barclay and Ian are joined by Dr Ewelina Kurtys, advisor at FinalSpark, to explore biocomputing, using living human neurons as the physical basis for computing. Elina explains why modern AI is costly, how neurons process information differently from silicon, and why working with spikes in time and space creates both opportunity and challenge. The conversation covers what FinalSpark is building today, what could change behind the scenes of enterprise technology over the next decade, and why this work matters for energy use and long term AI accessibility.

If it helps, when I was brainstorming the titles with ChatGPT it suggested the following prompt for design: The episode explores computing using living neurons rather than silicon. The cover should feel like discovery and curiosity, using our mascots encountering something alive and intelligent, abstract and biological rather than technical or sci fi.