“기억은 생물화학적 정보로 새겨진다… 인공지능과는 달라”

The human brain is often likened to a computer, as both store and process information through neurons sending signals to one another. The rise of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) has led to speculation about whether it could develop a form of consciousness similar to humans. However, many questions remain. Specifically, whether the computer's form of 'memory' is truly comparable to that of a human brain.

Israeli biotechnology company Emx Therapeutics' founders, Jerome Marx and Hebrew University Professor Hagit Cohen, recently published a paper arguing that both the brain and memory have a fundamentally different basis. While researchers have historically focused on the synapses connecting neurons, the paper posits that the biological structures surrounding neurons, including the extracellular matrix (nECM) and peripheral nervous system network (PNN), may be the fundamental units of memory, known as 'engrams'.

The essence of memory is thought to arise from the chemical reactions within this complex environment, which includes neurotransmitters, metal ions, and other substances released by neurons. The brain's extracellular matrix, which is abundant in the brain, is crucial in this process, acting as a guiding force in memory formation.

In essence, memory is not just logical information fragments but biological-chemical information encoded around the neurons. This perspective also explains why memories often come with emotions, such as nostalgia evoked by a familiar scent, comfort from a familiar voice, or fear from a frightening memory. The researchers explain that the interaction between neurons and their surrounding extracellular matrix leads to a 'transformation' that converts thermal energy into mental activity, resulting in emotional memories, consciousness, and physical bodily reactions.

They argue that artificial intelligence is fundamentally different from natural intelligence, as AI lacks the 'emotional' component. Even with numerous connections and complex algorithms, AI cannot replicate the emotional states inherent in biological life. While both computers and brains can store and retrieve information, the physical manner in which that information is encoded differs significantly.

The study provides a physical explanation for how memories are stored in the brain, but acknowledges that the mystery of 'consciousness' remains.