Cortical Labs Unveils CL1: World's First Commercial Biological Computer Using Human Brain Cells
8 Sources
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World's first commercial biological computer is here, powered by human brain cells
In brief: An unconventional form of artificial intelligence is taking shape in a nondescript laboratory in Melbourne, Australia. Cortical Labs has unveiled CL1 - an AI computer that fuses real human brain cells with silicon hardware. Remarkably, it's been launched commercially as the "world's first
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World's first 'body in a box' biological computer uses human brain cells with silicon-based computing
Cortical Labs said the CL1 will be available from June, priced at around $35,000. Australian biotech company Cortical Labs has introduced what it claims to be "the world's first code deployable biological computer," which combines human brain cells with traditional silicon-based computing. The
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This $35,000 Computer Is Powered by Trapped Human Brain Cells
A company is selling what it calls the world’s first “code deployable biological computer.†Cortical Labs would like to sell you a brain in a box. It’ll cost about $35,000, and you can teach it to do all kinds of nifty things. If that’s out of your price range, you can sign up for its
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'Actual intelligence': Franken-PC debuts in Melbourne with a $35,000 price tag and claims of exceptional performance
The next step will be to build a biological neural network server stack Despite the unquestionably impressive advancements we've witnessed in recent years, AI is still lagging far behind human intelligence. While it can process vast amounts of data, recognize patterns, and generate responses at
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Weird New Computer Runs AI on Captive Human Brain Cells
Australian startup Cortical Labs has launched what it's calling the "world's first code deployable biological computer." The shoe box-sized device, dubbed CL1, is a notable departure from a conventional computer, and uses human brain cells to run fluid neural networks. In 2022, Cortical Labs made
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This nightmarish $35K computer is powered by a lab-grown human brain
The biological computer system can stay alive for up to six months and is compatible with USB devices. An Australian company called Cortical Labs has developed a computer powered by lab-grown human brain cells, Gizmodo reports. The computer, known as CL1, is described as the world's first "code
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This $35,000 computer literally uses human brain cells
Summary Cortical Labs developed the CL1, the world's first code-deployable biological computer, using lab-grown human brain cells. The neurons in the CL1 run in the Biological Intelligence Operating System, which simulates a world for the neurons to live in. Neurons used in the CL1 can adapt to
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The world's first 'body in a box' biological computer costs $35,000 and looks both cool as hell plus creepy as heck
Here's one for you: when is a 'body in a box' not as macabre as it sounds? Simple -- when it's a tech startup. Wait! Put the turn-of-the-millennium trench coat and sunglasses combo down! Let me explain. The CL1 is described as "the world's first code deployable biological computer" according to
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Australian biotech company Cortical Labs has launched the CL1, a groundbreaking biological computer that integrates lab-grown human neurons with silicon-based hardware, marking a significant milestone in the fusion of biology and artificial intelligence.
Introducing the CL1: A Fusion of Biology and Computing
Cortical Labs, an Australian biotech company, has unveiled the CL1, touted as the world's first commercial biological computer. This groundbreaking device integrates lab-grown human neurons with traditional silicon-based computing, potentially revolutionizing the field of artificial intelligence
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.The Technology Behind CL1
The CL1 houses hundreds of thousands of lab-grown human neurons cultivated from stem cells derived from blood samples. These neurons form networks on a silicon chip, interfacing with a computer system to process information and produce outputs through neural firing patterns
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.Key features of the CL1 include:
- A life-support system regulating temperature, gas exchange, and other vital conditions
- Two-way communication between electrical impulses and neurons
- Ability to learn and adapt to tasks quickly
- Energy efficiency, operating on just a few watts
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Applications and Potential
While not intended to replace cutting-edge AI for general tasks yet, the CL1's biological neurons could be particularly useful for:
- Medical research and drug discovery
- Ultra-low-power computing
- Pattern recognition and decision-making in unpredictable environments
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The system's rapid learning abilities and energy efficiency are seen as potential advantages over current AI models
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.Commercialization and Accessibility
Cortical Labs is offering the CL1 through two main channels:
- Direct purchase: Units priced at approximately $35,000, available from June
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- "Wetware-as-a-Service" (WaaS): Customers can rent time on the chips and access them remotely, similar to cloud computing
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The company aims to democratize this technology, making it accessible to researchers without specialized hardware and software
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.Ethical Considerations and Challenges
The use of human-derived brain cells in technology raises several ethical concerns:
- Potential for consciousness or sentience in the neural networks
- Moral and regulatory issues surrounding the integration of living cells with computational hardware
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Cortical Labs is addressing these concerns by consulting bioethics experts and taking the risks of consciousness seriously
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.Related Stories
Future Developments
Cortical Labs is working on scaling up the technology:
- Construction of a biological neural network server stack with 30 individual units
- Plans for four stacks available for commercial use via a cloud system by the end of 2025
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Expert Opinions and Caution
While the CL1 represents a significant breakthrough, some experts urge caution:
- Ernst Wolvetang of the University of Queensland notes that the 2D neuron layers are relatively simplistic compared to human brain networks
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- The scalability and long-term stability of neuron-based systems remain uncertain
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As the field of biological computing advances, it will likely prompt further discussions about the boundaries of artificial intelligence and human-like cognition
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