Definitely seems like the more AI-like solution. Rearranging the brain to be like one of the more intelligence-per-brain-mass/volume species like crows and parrots could be another solution, but might have made Florence less 'doglike' and we do get lots of mileage out of her trying to balance being a sentient member of society and having doglike instincts (plus Mark gets to make up the rules for spinal neuromatter).