Fruit Fly Brain Used to Play Video Games

A team of researchers and developers have successfully mapped the brain of a male fruit fly, creating a complex neural network that can be used to teach it how to play video games. The mapping process, which involved imaging thin slices of the fly's brain and body using AI, resulted in a record-breaking 166,000 neurons and 11,700 types of neurons.

The team, led by Google, partnered with HHMI Janelia Research and other collaborators on the project. The research is expected to have a significant impact on neuroscience, as it allows neuroscientists to understand the mechanisms behind brain function.

But what's even more surprising is that this complex neural network can be used to teach the fly how to play video games like Doom, Super Mario 64, and Beat Saber. The process involves feeding the simulated brain's inputs into the game, allowing it to make decisions based on what it sees.

Developer Alex Wormuth created a simulated fly brain using Google's map and set it loose to learn how to play Doom. The results are fascinating, as the fly is able to navigate the game and even respond to nonfatal damage targets the PPL101 dopamine receptors, which control hunger and aggression in real fruit flies.

Other developers have also been experimenting with teaching the simulated brain to play other games, including soccer and escape rooms. The team behind the project hopes that their research will have a lasting impact on neuroscience and beyond.