State of the Art of Biological Computing • Ewelina Kurtys & Charles Humble • GOTO 2026

This interview was recorded for GOTO State of the Art in January 2026. #GOTOcon #GOTO https://gotopia.tech Read the full transcription of this interview here: https://gotopia.tech/articles/423 Dr. Ewelina Kurtys - Strategic Advisor on Frontier Technologies at FinalSpark @ewelinakurtys1161 Charles Humble - Freelance Techie, Podcaster, Editor, Author & Consultant RESOURCES Ewelina https://x.com/ewelina_kurtys https://github.com/ewelinaewela https://www.linkedin.com/in/ewelinakurtys https://www.ewelinakurtys.com Charles https://bsky.app/profile/charleshumble.bsky.social https://linkedin.com/in/charleshumble https://mastodon.social/@charleshumble https://conissaunce.com Links https://finalspark.com https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/biologically-inspired-computing-dr-ewelina-kurtys-udnhe https://finalspark.com/finalspark-6-month-research-technology-update https://finalspark.com/first-publication-from-a-neuroplatform-user https://youtu.be/Pv0cfsastFs https://youtu.be/sQOHhoCSfak https://youtu.be/jRyIGtTGxcE https://youtu.be/RNdspOqbBEk https://youtu.be/N53Gsz0Gm4c https://youtu.be/MyCsYagUR6w https://youtu.be/K2mx9ZaNDyE https://youtu.be/rdJXUN4YV_M https://youtu.be/rbTaEsieWsU https://youtu.be/o8I0M5vjdyE DESCRIPTION Dr. Ewelina Kurtys, Strategy Advisor at FinalSpark, discusses the revolutionary potential of biological computing with host Charles Humble. The conversation explores FinalSpark's ambitious goal to build computers using living neurons that are 1 million times more energy efficient than current digital systems. Ewelina explains the technical challenges of working with brain organoids, the ethical considerations of using human stem cells, and why biological neurons could dramatically reduce AI costs while offering unique advantages for complex tasks like generative AI. The interview covers everything from neural encoding and plasticity to consciousness and the deterministic nature of the brain. TIMECODES 00:00 Intro 01:52 From academia to biological computing 07:30 Vision: Building computers from living neurons 17:03 Technical challenges & breakthroughs 32:22 Ethical considerations & future implications 40:32 Resources 41:51 Outro RECOMMENDED BOOKS Robert M. Sapolsk • Determined • https://amzn.to/4akv2gi Jin Xu • Biological Computing • https://amzn.to/4a4Wwp9 https://bsky.app/profile/gotocon.com https://twitter.com/GOTOcon https://www.linkedin.com/company/goto- https://www.instagram.com/goto_con https://www.facebook.com/GOTOConferences #BiologicalComputing #BiologicalComputers #Organoids #FinalSpark #GenerativeAI #CostOfAI #EnergyEfficiencey #TodaInTech #EwelinaKurtys #CharlesHumble CHANNEL MEMBERSHIP BONUS Join this channel to get early access to videos & other perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs_tLP3AiwYKwdUHpltJPuA/join Looking for a unique learning experience? Attend the next GOTO conference near you! Get your ticket at https://gotopia.tech Sign up for updates and specials at https://gotopia.tech/newsletter SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL - new videos posted almost daily. https://www.youtube.com/user/GotoConferences/?sub_confirmation=1