Artificial brains are capable of counting and reasoning

A Canadian team of neuroscientists and software claims they have created an artificial brain that functions like the most human brain.

Model of artificial brain on computers of neurologists and software experts in Canada.

The brain of the University of Waterloo in Canada, called the SPAUN (Semantic Pointer Architecture Unified Network), contains 2.5 million artificial neurons. Nerve cells are divided into smaller systems so that they can function in areas of the human brain - such as the prefrontal area, the hypothalamus. So it can perform 8 tasks such as counting, drawing, answering questions, reasoning. An electronic eye helps it to receive visual information, while a machine arm performs operations, Science Daily reports.

In one experiment, scientists displayed a series of letters and numbers for SPAUN to read and remember. Then, they display commands in the form of symbols or letters to guide SPAUN with the things it has to do. The artificial brain uses the mechanical arm to write the letters and numbers it remembers.

Chris Eliasmith, head of the research team, said that SPAUN only performs simple tasks in the current period. But in the future, the team will continue to improve the artificial brain so that it can combine simple operations into more complex tasks.