Single Neurons as Deep Learners: Dendrites Endow Human Cognition
New research shows that human cortical neurons are exceptionally powerful computing units, thanks to dense, branching dendritic trees and unique electrical properties. Using AI to mimic a single neuron’s input-output behavior, scientists found its processing depth rivals a deep neural network, challenging the view that intelligence scales mainly with brain size. The work introduces a Functional Complexity Index to quantify neuronal computation and offers a blueprint for brain-inspired AI built from intrinsically deep biological units.