[rl3]

>The human neurons are sourced entirely ethically, from skin cells to stem cells that make neurons somehow.

Yes, and I'd wager the scale at which their experiment is currently operating is very likely ethical too. In fact, I'm not saying anything they're doing right now is unethical. My use of the term unethical was in context of hypothetical experiments on a scale that would make Dr. Frankenstein's stomach churn.

That said, my only point was that it's disconcerting to see these people—who are currently growing tiny brains in a vat—state that they're very interested in AGI come to fruition via way of using human neurons.

[meowface]

As long as they treat the brains in vats with the same ethics as we treat human newborns, as soon as they believe there's any possibility it could be conscious, what's the problem?

(The problem of course is the possibility of it becoming conscious before we realize it, but it's very up in the air to what degree that's actually a risk. My intuition is that we'll see clear signs of it before it even fully forms.)

[rl3]

>My intuition is that we'll see clear signs of it before it even fully forms.

Probably, though I wouldn't be so sure we'll know what to make of more complex computer-brain hybrids:

"These neurons are then embedded in a nourishing liquid medium on top of a specialized metal-oxide chip containing a grid of 22,000 tiny electrodes that enable programmers to provide electrical inputs to the neurons and also sense their outputs."

[buzzkillington]

If it makes you feel any better I'll introduce you to the brain vat basilisk. It tortures anyone who doesn't contribute to it's creation for an eternity, and as the name suggests it's a brain in a vat. So now the only ethical thing to do is to work on creating it and telling everyone else about it.