Dave? I'm sorry Dave.

Artificial intelligence in science fiction always demonstrates the capacity and knowledge of having a machine govern its self -- mostly for logical thinking -- at times to doom humanity. Our technology, and our programming method for A.I. is getting closer to science fiction now. Researchers at MIT have designed a computer chip to simulate the capacity to be self aware -- self aware just like humans, by modeling and programming it's electrons to a humans ion channels.  

"There are about 100 billion neurons in the brain, each of which forms synapses with many other neurons. A synapse is the gap between two neurons (known as the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons). The presynaptic neuron releases neurotransmitters, such as glutamate and GABA, which bind to receptors on the postsynaptic cell membrane, activating ion channels. Opening and closing those channels changes the cell’s electrical potential. If the potential changes dramatically enough, the cell fires an electrical impulse called an action potential."

"The MIT researchers designed their computer chip so that the transistors could mimic the activity of different ion channels. While most chips operate in a binary, on/off mode, current flows through the transistors on the new brain chip in analog, not digital, fashion. A gradient of electrical potential drives current to flow through the transistors just as ions flow through ion channels in a cell."

The human brain is more complex to actually model, and program into a computer chip, but MIT researchers are compelled and exited that this new form of computing is an advancement for true A.I. It may be years before we see a computer demonstrate quality behavior like a humans. However, we're now  one step closer for A.I. found in science fiction to be a real thing. I don't know about you guys, but the fact of having computers aware, and self governed is fascinating. 

Sorce: Mimicking The Brain