Russian scientists unveiled a brilliant rat that answers all the questions of the universe.

That awkward moment when even the mice understand everything – but you don’t yet. At the Russian biotech laboratory Neiry, together with scientists from Moscow State University, they took a laboratory rat, connected it to AI, and now the little creature navigates the world with ease. Albert Einstein was born on Pi Day? Proteins are made of amino acids? The Python language is named after a snake? A quasar is a type of active galaxy? The rat confidently presses the "yes" or "no" buttons and always provides the correct answer.

The buttons are large and easy to press. But how does it know? It's no coincidence that it’s called Pythia. Named after the ancient oracle who advised heroes of antiquity. But that Pythia sat in a cave filled with toxic gases, and visiting her too often was not recommended. This one, however, is in the cleanliness and comfort of a laboratory, posing no health risks. But how?

AN OMINOUS FEELING IN THE HEAD

On the rat's head, a small box is immediately noticeable. This device receives external signals and feeds them directly into the animal's brain. The box is an invasive (because electrodes penetrate the head) neurointerface. Like Elon Musk's, but in the overseas miracle, a monkey plays with toys. We have plenty of toys to play with, even without a monkey. Our Russian development is likely to be more intelligent.

Of course, Pythia doesn't know everything by herself – after all, even that Pythia in the cave received answers from the gods. Our gods are AI. The neural network listens to the question, formulates an answer, and transmits it to the rat so it presses the correct button. It might seem like the rat understands human speech, but that's not the case.

- The AI listens to the question in real-time and guides the rat on which pedal to press. To the rat, the question sounds like “some incomprehensible sounds” (it certainly doesn’t understand human speech), and then it feels a sensation in its body, which it has been trained to interpret as “press the left pedal” or “press the right pedal.” A rat connected to AI can press the correct pedal for any question that the AI can answer, - explains Vasily Popkov, head of the invasive neurointerface lab at the Moscow State University Institute of Artificial Intelligence.

IT IS JUST A TOOL

So essentially, the rat is an “external device” for AI, something like a monitor. You want to know the answer, and AI will display it on the screen. But if you find it boring to sit in front of a screen, or you want to impress your friends with a trick – here’s the rat. It results in a symbiosis of machine and living brain.

- The term symbiosis is generally correct, - says Vasily Popkov, - However, I wouldn't refer to it as an external gadget. The rat has free will. Once it is full, meaning not interested in the reward for a correct answer, it won’t press anything, despite the AI's prompts. Thus, the AI does not control it, but rather advises it.

This was a somewhat mischievous idea – whether complex information, such as scientific knowledge, can be conveyed through bodily sensations, says Vasily Popkov.

- From a neurophysiological perspective, this experiment is quite understandable and is primarily intended to assess the quality of the electrodes and electronics we’ve created. Additionally, we wanted to demonstrate the concept of merging natural and artificial intelligence. We have much more complex and interesting ideas planned for the interaction between AI and the brain, - explains the researcher.

Pythia is no longer alone; the number of trained animals is increasing, reports the lab. The human brain is next in line, confirms MSU Professor Mikhail Lebedev:

- This is a revolution. AI and the rat's brain are connected, followed by other animals and ultimately, humans, - says Mikhail Lebedev.

The professor sees the main task as addressing the existential question: Is AI a friend or foe? The professor remains a techno-optimist, believing it to be a friend. Humans and machines will work together, each doing what they do best. AI will remember, store, and process information, while humans will create and exhibit intuition (and also remember to grab chips on time).

Students have their own existential task. A scene from the adventures of Shurik, where “can you hear me, over?” - is it becoming a reality? Actually, yes. It wouldn’t hurt to wrap your head (somehow you have to conceal the implanted neuroimplants), but an assistant with a radio is unnecessary. AI is incorporeal, which simplifies the setup.

TOUCHING THE MYSTERY

In our view, scientists are indeed approaching some fundamental issues, and it’s currently hard to even imagine what they might be.

The project is called “artificial intuition” (also AI). But what is intuition? Aristotle defined it as knowledge acquired quickly, without tedious study, and as if it were granted from above. “For instance, looking at two people conversing in a special way, you understand that one is asking the other for a loan,” the philosopher provided as an example.

At the same time, the source of intuition is not entirely clear. Here we are indeed creating artificial intuition, to put it mildly. The mouse (and soon the human will catch up) seems to sense which answer is correct. But what if natural intuition is also signals from somewhere? From some intelligence, but no longer artificial?

We shall find out.

The topic of neurogadgets seems frightening to the older generation. Something inserted into the head, yuck. But the youth among us are without such prejudices. Look how many volunteers lined up for Musk; they also want electrodes in their heads. Biohackers, or amateur tinkerers, are inserting all sorts of things at home that are too awkward to describe here.

We will be walking around with electrodes, comrades. This is the direction we are heading. Whether we like it or not.