A Real Noodle Tangler

Introducing the CL1, described as the world’s first code-deployable biological computer. This unique device integrates human brain cells to facilitate sending and receiving electrical signals. These cells rest upon the silicon chip within the computer, while the Biological Intelligence Operating System (biOS) enables users to control neurons for diverse computational tasks.

Organic hardware for research isn’t new; for instance, FinalSpark’s Neuroplatform, which provides rent-able ‘minibrains’, was launched last year.

The neurons essential to the CL1 are lab-grown in a nutrient-rich solution, maintained in an environment with regulated temperatures and equipped with a self-sustaining life support system. Under optimal conditions, these cells can thrive for up to six months. As Brett Kagan, the Chief Scientific Officer, put it, it’s like a body in a box.

When it comes to acquiring your own surprisingly organic computer, it will be available from June for $35,000. You might wonder, why invest in such a device?

This innovative project from Cortical Labs was unveiled at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, and it highlights the potential of lab-grown brain cells to advance AI and robotics. While conventional AI can perform tasks but lacks true contextual comprehension, these biological neurons could learn and adapt over time.

Interestingly, these lab-grown cells are reportedly more energy-efficient than traditional AI systems, showing that organic solutions may still have the upper hand over silicon. However, ethical concerns persist about the subjective experiences these brain cells might endure—do they feel, or suffer, in any capacity? My human brain can’t help but ponder.