The Blue Brain Project aims to create a virtual brain by simulating the brain on a supercomputer. It was started in 2005 as a collaboration between IBM and the Brain Mind Institute in Switzerland. The project uses the IBM Blue Gene supercomputer and neuron simulation software to model brain circuits at the molecular level with the goal of understanding brain function and treating neurological diseases. The Blue Brain simulation has shown flashes of activity resembling those in natural brains, demonstrating its potential to provide insights into human consciousness.