World’s First Commercial Biological Computer Launched by Australian Startup

An Australian startup, Cortical Labs, has made a groundbreaking advancement in the realm of computer technology with the introduction of CL1, the world’s first commercially available biological computer. This innovative technology integrates neurons derived from human stem cells with hard silicon, ushering in a new era of Synthetic Biological Intelligence (SBI). Unlike traditional silicon-based AI systems, SBI boasts the ability to grow, adapt, and learn at an accelerated pace while consuming significantly less energy. For instance, a 30-unit rack of CL1 only requires 850–1,000 watts of power, a stark comparison to the substantial energy consumption of training models like GPT-3.

The development of CL1 marks the culmination of six years of dedicated research at Cortical Labs, culminating in the successful demonstration of “DishBrain” in 2022. DishBrain, a system comprising 800,000 brain cells trained to play Pong, showcased the potential of training lab-grown cells through stimuli, rewards, and feedback to exhibit goal-oriented behavior. This milestone prompted discussions on the ethical and scientific implications of cultivating cells for biological computing and the possibility of synthetic sentience.

Hon Weng Chong, the founder and CEO of Cortical Labs, envisions democratizing access to biological computing for researchers by eliminating the need for specialized hardware and software. The launch of CL1 at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona signifies a significant step towards this goal. Chong emphasizes that CL1 is not just a standalone achievement but a foundation for future innovations, with the true impact expected to stem from the collaborative efforts of researchers, academics, and innovators leveraging this technology.

Cortical Labs aims to have units and racks of CL1 ready for distribution by the end of June, offering Wetware-as-a-Service (WaaS) to enable remote access for application development on biological computers. The integration of lab-cultivated cells on a silicon chip with pins for transmitting and receiving electrical impulses establishes a robust connection between the organic network and digital interfaces, facilitating high-bandwidth communication.

At the Mobile World Congress, Cortical Labs, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Barcelona, will demonstrate the practical applications of CL1 outside laboratory settings. Sandra Acosta, an assistant professor at the University of Barcelona, highlights the significance of CL1 in enabling controlled growth and monitoring of neurons, thereby streamlining long-term experiments and minimizing disruptions associated with traditional methodologies.

The advent of the world’s first commercial biological computer heralds a new chapter in computer technology, offering a glimpse into the potential of SBI to revolutionize AI systems and pave the way for enhanced computational capabilities with reduced energy consumption. The collaborative efforts of industry pioneers and researchers promise to unlock a myriad of possibilities in the realm of biological computing, setting the stage for transformative innovations in the near future.