Ep 4. Can We Build a Brain?

In the fourth episode of NOVA Wonders season 1, titled "Can We Build a Brain?," the show explores the cutting-edge science behind a new era of neuroscience research: the creation of artificial brains in the lab. By examining the fascinating work of scientists who are attempting to create artificial minds, the episode asks some of humanity's most pressing questions about consciousness, sentience, and the future of AI.

Through interviews with leading researchers and experts on the topic, NOVA Wonders delves into the physics, biology, and computational power required to build a brain. Exploring everything from neural networks to electrical synapses to the delicate balance of chemistry that underpins our thinking, the episode sheds new light on the amazing complexity of the brain, and the incredible challenges facing scientists hoping to create a synthetic version of it.

From the work of pioneers like Henry Markram, who is attempting to build a whole-brain simulation using supercomputers, to the research of Sten Grillner, who is investigating the intricacies of the spinal cord and remote-controlled rodents, "Can We Build a Brain?" presents a range of inspiring, complex, and ultimately hopeful investigations into one of humanity's greatest scientific challenges. Along the way, the episode also raises important ethical and philosophical questions about what it means to create a mind, and what responsibilities we might have as a society if we succeed.

Whether you are a fan of science fiction, a curious mind interested in the future of technology, or a neuroscientist looking for the latest and greatest in the field, NOVA Wonders season 1 episode 4 is a must-see exploration of one of the greatest questions of our time: can we create a thinking machine, and what will happen if we do?