World’s First Biological Computer by Australian Start-Up: CL1 Unveiled

An Australian start-up, Cortical Labs, has recently unveiled the CL1, heralded as the world’s pioneering commercial biological computer. This remarkable innovation marks a significant milestone in the realm of computer technology, as it integrates neurons cultivated from human stem cells with silicon, ushering in a novel form of artificial intelligence known as Synthetic Biological Intelligence (SBI).

The advent of SBI holds the promise of accelerated growth, adaptability, and learning capabilities surpassing traditional AI reliant on silicon-based computer chips. Noteworthy is the efficiency of CL1 in terms of energy consumption, with a 30-unit rack of these biological computers consuming only 850–1,000 watts, a stark contrast to the substantial energy requirements of conventional models. For instance, training a large language model like GPT-3 demands close to 1,300 megawatt hours of electricity, equivalent to the annual consumption of 130 US households.

The development of CL1 by Cortical Labs is the culmination of six years of dedicated research, building on previous breakthroughs such as the 2022 achievement dubbed “DishBrain.” This precursor system, comprising 800,000 brain cells, demonstrated the feasibility of training cultured cells to exhibit goal-oriented behavior through stimuli, rewards, and feedback, as exemplified by playing Pong.

Hon Weng Chong, the visionary founder and CEO of Cortical Labs, envisions democratizing access to biological computing for researchers devoid of specialized hardware and software. The launch of CL1 at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona signifies a pivotal moment in the company’s mission to empower researchers, academics, and innovators to leverage this cutting-edge technology for diverse applications.

With plans to commence manufacturing and distribution by June, Cortical Labs aims to offer Wetware-as-a-Service (WaaS), enabling remote utilization of biological computers for application development. The architecture of CL1 entails lab-cultivated cells intricately positioned on a silicon chip with electrodes facilitating bidirectional communication between the organic neural network and digital interfaces, ensuring a high-bandwidth connection.

At the MWC, researchers from Cortical Labs and the University of Barcelona will showcase the practical applications of CL1 beyond laboratory settings, underscoring its potential for advancing neuroscientific research and experimentation. Sandra Acosta, an esteemed assistant professor at the University of Barcelona, lauds CL1 as a groundbreaking tool for cultivating neurons in a controlled environment, eliminating the need for disruptive movements during long-term experiments.

In essence, the introduction of the CL1 biological computer by Cortical Labs represents a paradigm shift in the landscape of computer technology, offering a glimpse into the future of AI driven by the fusion of biological and digital systems. As researchers and innovators harness the capabilities of this pioneering technology, the possibilities for transformative advancements in various fields are boundless.