In a big step forward for artificial intelligence, Australian company Cortical Labs has introduced the CL1, the world’s first Synthetic Biological Intelligence (SBI) system that’s available for purchase. The CL1, which was launched on March 2, 2025, in Barcelona, combines living human brain cells with silicon technology to create an energy-efficient and adaptable type of computing intelligence.
The CL1 is very different from traditional AI systems that only use electronic circuits. Instead, it uses lab-grown human brain cells to create neural networks on a silicon chip. These networks are able to learn and adjust faster than regular AI systems, making them potentially better than AI systems like ChatGPT in terms of flexibility and efficiency.
How It Works:
The CL1 contains human brain cells placed on a flat electrode array, with 59 electrodes helping the cells communicate with each other.
A special life-support system helps keep the cells healthy by controlling temperature, mixing gases, and filtering out waste.
The system is fully programmable and doesn’t need an external computer to run. It uses only 850-1,000 watts of energy for a whole rack of 30 units.
Applications and Potential:
The CL1 has the potential to change industries like drug discovery, disease research, and robotics. By mimicking how the human brain works, it could help scientists better understand brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and epilepsy, and reduce the need for animal testing.
Cortical Labs also plans to offer “Wetware-as-a-Service” (WaaS), allowing scientists to access the biocomputers remotely through the cloud. This makes the technology available to researchers all over the world.
Ethical Considerations:
The development of SBI has raised questions about consciousness and sentience. Cortical Labs insists that strict ethical rules and regulations are in place to ensure the responsible use of the technology.
The Future of SBI:
The CL1 is just the start. Cortical Labs is already working on the next version of SBI, which they call the “Minimal Viable Brain.” This would be a bioengineered brain with the fewest necessary cells to create complex intelligence.
The CL1 is priced at $35,000 per unit and is expected to be available by late 2025. As the technology continues to develop, it could change the future of AI, medicine, and even our understanding of what intelligence is.
Related Stories:
https://newatlas.com/brain/cortical-bioengineered-intelligence/
https://corticallabs.com/cl1.html
Take Action:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Futurology/comments/1j3hmdf/worlds_first_synthetic_biological_intelligence/
https://gizmodo.com/this-35000-computer-is-powered-by-trapped-human-brain-cells-2000573993
