Computing inspired by the brain: a journey from algorithms to organoids

The human brain has long served as a blueprint for computation, guiding evolution from early symbolic systems to modern deep learning models. Despite these advances, traditional computing systems remain fundamentally limited in mirroring the remarkable flexibility, parallel processing and energy efficiency of the human brain. To address these limitations, neuromorphic computing was developed, which mimics the architecture and signaling behavior of biological neurons. Building on this foundation, a new frontier is now emerging-organoid intelligence (OI). OI uses lab-grown brain cellular structures, such as living neural organoids with electrical activity, synapse formation and primitive learning, as a substrate for computation. Here we trace the evolution of brain-inspired computing from symbolic logic systems to artificial neural networks, neuromorphic processors and finally biohybrid computers that incorporate living neural structures. We explore the transformative potential of OI along with the substantial technical, biological and ethical challenges it presents.