The world’s first “biological computer” has officially hit the market, marking what may actually be a significant breakthrough in AI technology. Developed by Australian company Cortical Labs, the CL1 fuses human brain cells with silicon hardware to create a dynamic, learning neural network. This innovative system, known as Synthetic Biological Intelligence (SBI), promises to be more flexible and energy-efficient than traditional silicon-based AI chips.
Launched in Barcelona on March 2nd, the CL1 is the result of nearly six years of intensive research and development. By integrating lab-grown neurons with a straightforward-yet-stable hardware design, Cortical Labs has taken a major step toward democratizing advanced neural computing. The company aims to make this technology accessible to researchers and innovators worldwide, both through direct hardware (wetware?) purchase as well as via cloud services.
Top image: living brain cells on a silicon chip for input/output.
The potential applications of this breakthrough extend far beyond traditional computing. From revolutionizing drug discovery and disease modeling to reshaping how robotic intelligence is built, the Cortical Labs says that the CL1 is set to open new avenues in both scientific research and practical technology. Its more natural form of intelligence could also reduce the reliance on animal testing, making research not only more efficient but also more ethically sound.
