Abstract The human brain has long served as a blueprint for computation, guiding evolution from early symbolic systems to modern deep learning models. Despite these advances, traditional computing systems remain fundamentally limited in mirroring the remarkable flexibility, parallel processing and energy efficiency of the human brain. To address these limitations, neuromorphic computing was developed, which mimics the architecture and signaling behavior of biological neurons. Building on this foundation, a new frontier is now emerging—organoid intelligence (OI). OI uses lab-grown brain cellular structures, such as living neural organoids with electrical activity, synapse formation and primitive learning, as a substrate for computation. Here we trace the evolution of brain-inspired computing from symbolic logic systems to artificial neural networks, neuromorphic processors and finally biohybrid computers that incorporate living neural structures. We explore the transformative potential of OI along with the substantial technical, biological and ethical challenges it presents. This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution Access options Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription $32.99 / 30 days cancel any time Subscribe to this journal Receive 12 digital issues and online access to articles $119.00 per year only $9.92 per issue Buy this article - Purchase on SpringerLink - Instant access to the full article PDF. USD 39.95 Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout Similar content being viewed by others References - Bermudez-Contreras, E., Clark, B. J. & Wilber, A. The neuroscience of spatial navigation and the relationship to artificial intelligence. Front. Comput. Neurosci. 14, 63 (2020). - Kriegeskorte, N. & Douglas, P. K. Cognitive computational neuroscience. Nat. Neurosci. 21, 1148–1160 (2018). - Hassabis, D., Kumaran, D., Summerfield, C. & Botvinick, M. Neuroscience-inspired artificial intelligence. Neuron 95, 245–258 (2017). - Brette, R. Brains as computers: metaphor,