Australian company Cortical Labs has unveiled CL1, the world’s first “biological computer,” which integrates human brain cells with silicon hardware to create advanced neural networks.

Launched on March 2, 2025, in Barcelona, this groundbreaking system, known as synthetic biological intelligence (SBI), promises to be more dynamic, resilient, and energy-efficient than existing technologies.

CL1 combines lab-grown human brain neurons with a planar array of 59 electrodes, enabling bidirectional stimulation and signal reading. An integrated life support system ensures the health of the cells, while the entire module operates on just 850-1000 watts of power.

This innovative technology allows cells to form continuously evolving neural networks capable of learning and adaptation. In 2022, the team demonstrated a “self-improving brain” by training 800,000 neurons (derived from human and mouse cells) to play a video game.

With the commercialization of CL1, researchers can now explore a wide range of applications, from drug development and clinical trials to autonomous control systems.

Brett Kagan, the project leader, explained: “The current version represents a completely different technology. Previously, we used a CMOS chip, which offered high readout speeds but couldn’t monitor cell states. Additionally, stimulation often led to charge accumulation, which harmed the cells during prolonged use. CL1 solves these issues.”

Brain cells are harvested from specialized stem cells using two methods: one mimics fetal development conditions using small molecules, while the other activates genes to transform the cells into neurons.

These neurons are then placed on a silicon substrate, where electrical stimuli enable them to function like a real computer. Cortical Labs has also developed a WhatsApp-as-a-Service (WAAS) cloud platform, allowing users to rent CL1’s computing power.

Neural networks built on CL1’s silicon chip can evolve and adapt like living organisms. The engineers behind the technology claim it offers remarkable speed and flexibility in learning, making it far superior to traditional silicon chips used in training large language models like ChatGPT.

Loz Blaine, a co-author of the project, said: “We see this as a new life form—something akin to an animal or a human. We’re approaching AI from an engineering perspective: using biological neurons as a foundation but assembling them in an entirely new way.”

CL1 has the potential to revolutionize not only brain research but also the practical application of AI in medicine, robotics, and pharmaceuticals. Its ability to model diseases, test new drugs without animal testing, and create adaptive control systems positions it as a breakthrough technology.

Kagan added: “We’re constantly integrating new cell types into artificial brains, but our progress has been limited by the lack of appropriate tools. CL1 was developed to address questions like, ‘What is a minimal viable brain?’ Now, we can conduct highly controlled experiments to understand the drivers of intelligence and apply that knowledge to drug design, disease modeling, and other complex challenges.”

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