Russians create 'artificial human brain'.
Russian scientists claim to have developed the first artificial brain with the same intellectual potential as a human.
The neuro-computer is based on the workings of the human brain cell and can out perform previous brain models.
It uses pioneering findings in neurophysiology and neuromorphology to produce a truly thinking machine, scientist Vitaly Valtsev has told the Interfax news agency.
He has warned of the potential of the scientific breakthrough, saying the new brain could turn into a Frankenstein monster if mistreated.
The scientist said: "This machine needs to be trained like a newborn child. It is extremely important for us to make it a friend, not a criminal or an enemy."
Mr Valtsev, a member of the International Academy of Information Science, says the Russians have succeeded where others have failed because they used a model of the neurons in the brain in building the computer.
He says earlier attempts to create advanced artificial intelligence have failed because scientists tried to create a machine using a model of the neuron taken from the spinal cord developed back in the 1940s.
Story filed: 15:42 Sunday 15th April 2001