The Computational Potential of Life May Be Significantly Higher
A new study authored by a theoretical physicist at Howard University suggests that non-neural eukaryotic cells could potentially process information at a rate up to a billion times faster than traditional biochemical processes. This concept stems from growing evidence indicating that the realms of biology and quantum mechanics may not be as incompatible as previously believed. While further research and experimentation are needed to confirm this idea, it raises the intriguing possibility that biological computation might possess far greater capabilities than even the most advanced quantum computers.
What exactly is the limit to biology’s computational capacity? Some experts propose that the human brain can carry out around 10^16 computations per second. If a highly advanced artificial intelligence were to surpass this threshold (along with acquiring a plethora of other capabilities), it could herald what is referred to in tech circles as the singularity. However, a recent article by theoretical physicist Philip Kurian argues that this limit—and all other estimates based on neuron activity—have significantly underestimated the true computational power of biological brains.
Kurian introduces a controversial yet increasingly influential notion into his calculations: the collective quantum processes within a biological system may surpass the computing capabilities of even the most sophisticated quantum computers. Published in the journal Science Advances, this article builds upon QBL’s recent discovery of cytoskeleton filaments exhibiting quantum optical characteristics and reevaluates the computational potential of carbon-based life on Earth.
“This research interlinks the key pillars of twentieth-century physics—thermodynamics, relativity, and quantum mechanics—and proposes a significant paradigm shift in the biological sciences, exploring the feasibility and implications of quantum information processing in organic material at ambient temperatures,” Kurian stated in a press release. (“Wetware” refers to the organic material within the human body, akin to hardware in a computer.) “These findings should be carefully considered by physicists and cosmologists, especially as they ponder the origins of life on Earth and beyond in the habitable universe, evolving alongside the electromagnetic field.”
Traditionally, biology and quantum mechanics have been seen as incompatible due to fundamental differences. Artificial quantum systems typically demand ultracold temperatures approaching absolute zero to function, as qubits are extremely sensitive to interference (which is why quantum computers incorporate robust error correction mechanisms). Therefore, the warm and dynamic environment of, for instance, the human brain is far from ideal for quantum processes.
Nevertheless, certain theories that were once considered far-fetched now propose that quantum processes could indeed be occurring within the brain, and might even be responsible for consciousness itself. Kurian’s paper delves into the role of the amino acid tryptophan, abundant in many proteins and capable of forming intricate networks within structures such as microtubules, amyloid fibrils, cilia, and neurons. When combined with QBL’s previous discovery, a hypothesis emerges that non-neural organisms could leverage these quantum signals for information processing.
Generally, biochemical signals involve the movement of neurons across cells, but in a quantum context, try
Solely relying on chemical processing may seem limiting, but if aneural cells are utilizing quantum signals for information processing, it could be beneficial for both quantum computing and artificial intelligence. “And all of this happening in a warm environment! The quantum computing realm ought to pay attention,” stated Kurian in a press release. “In the age of artificial intelligence and quantum computers, it’s crucial to bear in mind that physical laws govern all their actions.” Although Kurian’s proposals need thorough testing, akin to past quantum theories on information processing and consciousness, before revolutionizing our understanding of biological computation, the integration of the quantum and biological realms is becoming more feasible as we delve deeper into the subatomic biological domain.
