Brain-Computer Hybrids: Neurons Meet Silicon

Summary

Imagine a computer powered not just by silicon, but also by living human neurons. That's the audacious vision of Corticle Labs, a company developing biological computers. They've already sold out their first batch of CL one units, selling thirty devices for roughly one million dollars. Five major U.S. institutions, including Johns Hopkins and Mass General, now use their CL one systems. These devices, resembling rack-mountable toasters, house up to two million neurons in a specialized chamber. They integrate a neural interface with life support systems, providing nutrients, filtering waste, and regulating temperature, all while offering traditional computer inputs and outputs. Corticle Labs' biological computers have demonstrated a remarkable advantage in reinforcement learning, proving five thousand times more sample-efficient than traditional GPU-based systems. They are also building the world's first biological data center in Melbourne, with plans for a larger one in Singapore. The company emphasizes its ethical stance, drawing a strict line against creating conscious systems due to the potential for suffering. Their focus remains on practical applications like drug discovery and toxicology research, with the ultimate goal of making biological computing accessible to a wider audience through their cloud platform.