It sounds like science fiction, but Melbourne-based researchers have taught a dish of brain cells to play the 1972 arcade game, Pong. In a world-first experiment dubbed DishBrain, scientists grew 800,000 cells derived from humans and mice that together function like a primitive “cyborg brain”. Then using Pong as the ultimate test, the team signalled to the cells what side a ball was on using electrodes that also indicated whether the ball was being hit. Incredibly, the DishBrain learn how to play within minutes – something scientists say proves it has sentience (aka some awareness) but not consciousness (aka a sense of itself). Next on the list is getting the brain cells “drunk” to see if it affects their Pong playing abilities. The experiment could provide insights into conditions like epilepsy and dementia. Great, but it’s still creepy…