Scientists at IBM have created the “biggest artificial brain ever” with a computer simulation (1.6 billion virtual neurons connected by 9 trillion synapses) that far surpasses the previous attempt (55 million neurons) to do such a thing.  This year’s results simulate a cat’s brain, while the last time simulated a rat’s brain.  Who’s up next?  We are.

These massive simulations are merely steps toward Modha’s ultimate goal: simulating the entire human cortex, about 25 billion neurons, at full speed. To do that, he’ll need to find 1000 times more computing power. At the rate that supercomputers have expanded over the last 20 years, that super-super computer could exist by 2019. “This is not just possible, it’s inevitable,” [Dharmendra Modha, computer scientist] says. “This will happen.”  [He adds:] “I’ll have it ready for you within the next decade.”

Modha meet SkyNet.

Well then, time to go out and buy all the Terminator movies and study up.  Judgement Day is imminent.

[Via Gizmodo, here & here; Popular Mechanics]