HYPOTHESIS AND THEORY article
Front. Mol. Neurosci.
Sec. Methods and Model Organisms
Integrating neural organoids and AI: Increasing the risk of artificial consciousness or medical malpractice?
1. The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
2. University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
3. University of Exeter Living Systems Institute, Exeter, United Kingdom
4. University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
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Abstract
Neural organoids can be integrated with AI models in various formats, termed AI-NO systems. Neural organoids and AI are each high impact research fields which may play significant roles in biological research and clinical decision making. However, their potential benefits, pitfalls and associated governance structures are often overshadowed by highly speculative discourse over the possibility of them developing some form of consciousness and subsequently acquiring a level of moral status. This article examines the cause for this speculative discourse, arguing for a focus on more immediate, empirically grounded ethical issues. It describes potential ethical issues when data obtained from AI models is used for research planning and drug discovery on neural organoids; when AI models are used to analyse data obtained from neural organoids; and when AI models are used to control interventions on neural organoids in open- or closed-loop configurations. It concludes with an investigation on how AI-NO systems may impact clinical decision making.
Summary
Keywords
artificial intelligence, clinical trials, Ethics, neural organoid, Preclinical Research, Speculative ethics, stem cell
Received
14 December 2025
Accepted
05 February 2026
Copyright
© 2026 Harris, McGivern, Wedgwood and Gilbert. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Alexander R Harris
Disclaimer
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