Google Research, in collaboration with HHMI Janelia Research Campus and the scientific community, has successfully mapped the entire brain and central nervous system of an adult male fruit fly. The project utilized AI to merge millions of 2D images into 3D neural shapes, reconstructing more than 166,000 neurons.
Following the release of the MaleCNS v1.0 connectome, software engineers began using the model for experimental purposes. Alex Wormuth is training the fly brain to play Doom, where game frames stimulate sensory neurons and neural activity is mapped to game controls. Reinforcement is provided by stimulating two PPL101 dopamine cells when the character takes damage.
Another developer, Jessica Paquette, used the model to train a fly brain to play Super Mario 64. She stated that the project was created using GPT Astra for the purpose of entertainment. The code for these experiments is open source, and the training progress of the 166,700 neurons can be monitored live.