In Russia, a rat was taught to answer math questions using AI

Russian biotech laboratory Neiry and Moscow State University scientists “for the first time in the world” connected the brain of a laboratory rat to artificial intelligence, teaching it to answer questions in physics, history, mathematics and other disciplines. RB.RU was informed about this by the Neiry press service.

In Russia, a rat was taught to answer math questions using AI

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Author: Bogdan Muzychenko

The scientific team implanted an invasive neural interface into the animal’s brain, special areas of which are stimulated by electrodes. The neural interface works in tandem with AI, which was finalized by the project team. This is how the rat gained “access to any information on the Internet,” which allows it to “answer any questions,” scientists say.

Pythia rat with a neural interface connected to the brain. Photo: Neiry

As part of the experiment, they asked questions verbally, and the AI ​​“suggested” the correct answer to the rat using electrical stimulation of the brain. When it was necessary to answer “yes”, the animal experienced a sensation in one place, when “no” – in another. For the correct answer, the rat received a reward.

The researchers said the animal has already answered “hundreds of scientific questions”, including about quasars, myelin sheaths, the Python programming language and Albert Einstein’s birthday.

The purpose of the experiment is to demonstrate the concept of combining natural and artificial intelligence using invasive neural interfaces. “Is AI a helper or a rival for us? How will we live with him? For me, this is how we will live well, coexist peacefully. When AI is integrated with natural intelligence, they will work together,” explained MSU professor Mikhail Lebedev.

In the future, scientists plan to create a user product that will help “connect the human brain with the knowledge of all mankind,” Neiry noted.