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The Intelligence Revolution: Coupling AI and the Human Brain | Ed Boyden | Big Think

The Intelligence Revolution: Coupling AI and the Human Brain.
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Edward Boyden is a Hertz Foundation Fellow and recipient of the prestigious Hertz Foundation Grant for graduate study in the applications of the physical, biological and engineering sciences. A professor of Biological Engineering and Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT, Edward Boyden explains how humanity is only at its infancy in merging with machines. His work is leading him towards the development of a “brain co-processor”, a device that interacts intimately with the brain to upload and download information to and from it, augmenting human capabilities in memory storage, decision making, and cognition. The first step, however, is understanding the brain on a much deeper level. With the support of the Fannie and John Hertz Foundation, Ed Boyden pursued a PhD in neurosciences from Stanford University.

EDWARD BOYDEN:

Edward Boyden is a professor of Biological Engineering and Brain and Cognitive Sciences at the MIT Media Lab and the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT. He leads the Media Lab’s Synthetic Neurobiology group, which develops tools for analyzing and repairing complex biological systems, such as the brain, and applies them systematically both to reveal ground truth principles of biological function and to repair these systems.

These technologies, often created in interdisciplinary collaborations, include expansion microscopy (which enables complex biological systems to be imaged with nanoscale precision) optogenetic tools (which enable the activation and silencing of neural activity with light,) and optical, nanofabricated, and robotic interfaces (which enable recording and control of neural dynamics).

Boyden has launched an award-winning series of classes at MIT, which teach principles of neuroengineering, starting with the basic principles of how to control and observe neural functions, and culminating with strategies for launching companies in the nascent neurotechnology space. He also co-directs the MIT Center for Neurobiological Engineering, which aims to develop new tools to accelerate neuroscience progress.

Continue reading “The Intelligence Revolution: Coupling AI and the Human Brain | Ed Boyden | Big Think” | >

Trump wants tech companies to foot the bill for new power plants because of AI

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright unveiled the plan at the White House with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and outgoing Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin. PJM representatives were not at the event.

“We have to get out from underneath this bureaucratic system that we have in the regional grid operators and we’ve got to allow markets to work,” Burgum said at the White House. “One of the ways markets can work is to have the hyperscalers actually rapidly building power.”

Utility bills are rising in many parts of the U.S. despite Trump’s promise to lower energy prices during his presidential campaign. The issue played a major role in the landslide victories of Democrats Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger in the governors’ races of New Jersey and Virginia, respectively.

Steam updates AI disclosure form to specify that it’s focused on AI-generated content that is ‘consumed by players,’ not efficiency tools used behind the scenes

The tweak addresses the fact that generative AI tools have been stuffed into just about every piece of software professionals use.

Is This The End of OpenAI?

Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI aims to expose the company’s alleged abandonment of its non-profit mission and potential shift to a for-profit model, sparking a heated dispute over the company’s future and integrity ##

## Questions to inspire discussion.

Understanding the lawsuit timeline and stakes.

🔍 Q: When is Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI going to trial and what is he claiming?

A: The lawsuit is set to go to trial in April 2026, with Musk arguing he’s owed billions from the value of intellectual property developed from his contributions as the primary funder who wanted OpenAI to remain nonprofit and open source.

📄 Q: What evidence exists in Greg Brockman’s personal files from 2017?

Continue reading “Is This The End of OpenAI?” | >

Why does AI being good at math matter?

This is the second time in recent months that the AI world has got all excited about math. The rumor mill went into overdrive last November, when there were reports that the boardroom drama at OpenAI, which saw CEO Sam Altman temporarily ousted, was caused by a new powerful AI breakthrough. It was reported that the AI system in question was called Q* and could solve complex math calculations. (The company has not commented on Q*, and we still don’t know if there was any link to the Altman ouster or not.) I unpacked the drama and hype in this story.

You don’t need to be really into math to see why this stuff is potentially very exciting. Math is really, really hard for AI models. Complex math, such as geometry, requires sophisticated reasoning skills, and many AI researchers believe that the ability to crack it could herald more powerful and intelligent systems. Innovations like AlphaGeometry show that we are edging closer to machines with more human-like reasoning skills. This could allow us to build more powerful AI tools that could be used to help mathematicians solve equations and perhaps come up with better tutoring tools.

StealC hackers hacked as researchers hijack malware control panels

A cross-site scripting (XSS) flaw in the web-based control panel used by operators of the StealC info-stealing malware allowed researchers to observe active sessions and gather intelligence on the attackers’ hardware.

StealC emerged in early 2023 with aggressive promotion on dark web cybercrime channels. It grew in popularity due to its evasion and extensive data theft capabilities.

In the following years, StealC’s developer added multiple enhancements. With the release of version 2.0 last April, the malware author introduced Telegram bot support for real-time alerts and a new builder that could generate StealC builds based on templates and custom data theft rules.

Kawasaki Corleo Robot Debuts at Osaka Expo 2026

In a bold showcase of futuristic design and green innovation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries has unveiled the Kawasaki Corleo robot—a hydrogen-powered, four-legged robotic ride—at the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025. This revolutionary concept reimagines mobility by blending clean energy, robotics, and artificial intelligence into a rider-ready machine that can walk, adapt, and navigate across rugged terrains.

The Kawasaki Corleo robot walks on four independently powered legs, offering impressive stability and terrain agility that wheels often can’t match. Built with carbon fiber and metal, Corleo echoes the iconic DNA of Kawasaki’s motorcycle lineage—featuring sleek contours, aerodynamic symmetry, and a headlight faceplate that resembles a mechanical creature ready to roam.

At the heart of Corleo lies a 150cc hydrogen engine that generates electricity to drive its limbs—making it a clean energy alternative to gas-powered off-roaders. Ditching the conventional handlebars, the robot interprets a rider’s body movement to move forward, turn, or stop. A built-in heads-up display (HUD) provides live feedback on hydrogen levels, motion stability, and terrain tracking. This unique interface between biomechanics and artificial intelligence makes the Kawasaki Corleo robot one of the most immersive robotic riding experiences developed to date.

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