Osh Agabi, a Nigerian scientist and entrepreneur, envisions a groundbreaking future for computing: the development of chips fueled by living neurons. His business, Koniku, asserts to be the first and only manufacturer of these chips, which have potential uses in robotics, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and security.

When Agabi was employed in Switzerland as a robotics engineer, he trained a robotic arm to classify items, which sparked his interest in neurology and machine learning. He subsequently pursued his PhD in bioengineering and his Masters in theoretical physics, concentrating on how to connect robots and neurons. He sought to develop a robotic arm that could be attached to an amputee and operated by their brain.

He soon discovered, though, that the available technology for coupling neurons and machines was constrained and ineffective. He pondered whether it was possible to reverse the process and improve machines rather than using neurons. After entering the San Francisco biotech accelerator IndieBio in 2015, he made the decision to launch Koniku.

With Koniku’s technique, neurons are grown in a lab and then integrated into silicon chips. To increase their stability and receptivity to electrical signals, the neurons have undergone genetic modification. The chips can then function similarly to the human brain in processing information and learning from their surroundings.

According to Agabi, his chips provide a number of benefits over standard silicon processors. They are more biocompatible, versatile, scalable, and energy-efficient. They can also complete tasks like pattern recognition, sensory perception, and decision-making that are challenging for conventional computers.

Customers from a variety of industries, including aviation, pharmaceuticals, and oil & gas, have already signed up with Koniku. In order to employ Koniku’s chips in drones that can find chemical leaks in oil refineries, for instance, Agabi claims that Boeing has signed a letter of intent to that effect. AstraZeneca, another client, plans to utilise the chips to simulate how medications affect the human brain.

Agabi thinks his chips could revolutionise the disciplines of biotechnology and artificial intelligence, as well as open up new avenues for human-machine communication. He imagines a time where computers are not just intelligent, but also alive.

In the realm of academic perseverance and triumph, Olamide Oluwatade stands as a testament to resilience, determination, and the pursuit of excellence. Graduating with First-Class Honors in Mathematics from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, Olamide’s journey is marked by overcoming four admission rejections, personal loss, and financial challenges to emerge as the best student in her department.

Olamide Oluwatade, a proud graduate of Mathematics, showcases a profound passion for knowledge in both Mathematics and Computer Science. On her LinkedIn profile, she describes herself as a Graduate Assistant, Data Scientist, Data Analyst, and Statistician. Her journey reflects an insatiable desire to explore new frontiers, evident in her transition into the field of data science after her Bachelor’s degree.

Olamide’s academic journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Facing four years of rejection in her pursuit of studying medicine, she pivoted towards Mathematics—a subject she excelled in. A week before her university entrance exam, tragedy struck as she lost her father, adding an emotional burden to her academic pursuits. Undeterred by the challenges, Olamide found solace in her determination to succeed.

“I graduated as the best and only first-class female graduating student from my Department (Mathematics), University of Ilorin, with a Cumulative grade point average of 4.65,” Olamide proudly shared on her LinkedIn page. Her outstanding achievement positions her as the sole female first-class graduate and the best-graduating student in her department.