A study suggests that cells might be conscious in a state between life and death. This raises intriguing questions about how we define cognition and mind.

Even simple systems can exhibit intelligence. These cells communicate through bioelectric signals, coordinating growth and behaviour. TAME (Technological Approach to Mind Everywhere) shows that cognition emerges along a continuum, from single cells to complex brains, suggesting that mind is not confined to brains, but woven throughout life itself. Illustration by the Author © Mariah

In 2022, Michael Levin introduced TAME (Technological Approach to Mind Everywhere), a new way to think about minds. Instead of only existing in brains, it suggests that intelligence and decision-making can appear in many different biological or artificial systems.

TAME sees cognition as a continuum, not a yes-or-no trait. Levin introduces the “axis of persuadability,” which measures how open a system is to being influenced, from simple physical systems to complex thinkers, which helps us understand different forms of intelligence in a practical, measurable way.

The framework emphasizes embodied agency, thinking and problem solving come from interacting with the environment not just the brain. It also studies developmental bioelectricity, where cells communicate with electrical signals to guide growth and behaviour. Even simple systems can show problem-solving.

Levin suggests that consciousness develops gradually not suddenly. This opens up research in AI, regenerative medicine, and synthetic life, while also raising ethical questions about interacting with new forms of intelligence. By seeing mind as a spectrum, it becomes possible to discover intelligence in unexpected places .

Reference:
Levin, M. (2022). Technological Approach to Mind Everywhere. Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/systems-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnsys.2022.768201/full