Cortical Labs Launches $35K Biological Computer Built on Human Brain Cells

Cortical Labs has launched the CL1, a biological computing system that integrates human brain cells with silicon hardware to create dynamic neural networks. Branded as Synthetic Biological Intelligence (SBI), the system is designed to offer an alternative to conventional AI by leveraging the adaptability and energy efficiency of biological neurons. Unlike traditional processors, which rely on fixed logic gates, SBI reportedly enables a more flexible and learning-capable computing framework.

At the core of CL1 is a lab-grown neural network, where human-derived neurons are cultivated on a planar electrode array—essentially a structured interface of metal and glass. These neurons form connections and respond to electrical stimuli, mimicking aspects of brain function. This system is housed within a controlled life-support unit that maintains cellular health, providing filtration, media circulation, gas mixing, and temperature regulation. The platform does not require an external computer, operating instead as a self-contained biological processing unit.

The CL1 (Source: Cortical Labs; New Atlas)

Cortical Labs previously demonstrated an early form of this technology in 2022 with DishBrain, a system where neurons, integrated with high-density multielectrode arrays (HD-MEAs), were trained to play Pong using real-time electrophysiological feedback. The CL1 builds on this foundation with a simplified, more stable electrode system that allows for improved long-term function and charge balancing, a limitation observed in earlier CMOS-based designs.

The CL1 is being positioned as a research tool with potential applications in drug discovery, clinical testing, and robotics. The system is available for purchase outright or through a cloud-based model that Cortical Labs describes as "Wetware-as-a-Service" (WaaS), allowing remote access for researchers to conduct experiments on cultured neural networks. Initial pricing is expected to start at $35,000 per unit, with broader accessibility planned through remote cloud access.

Living human neurons on a silicon chip (Source: Cortical Labs; New Atlas)

A key area of ongoing research for Cortical Labs is the concept of the Minimal Viable Brain (MVB), an attempt to construct a controlled neural system capable of complex information processing. The company is also expanding its infrastructure, planning a biological neural network server stack, where multiple CL1 units will be networked to facilitate large-scale experiments.

Cortical Labs suggests that SBI could be a more natural alternative to silicon-based AI, as it uses the same biological material—neurons—that underpin intelligence in living organisms. However, the ethical considerations surrounding the use of human brain cells in computing remain an area of discussion, particularly regarding questions of consciousness and sentience in artificially assembled neural systems. The company states that regulatory compliance and bioethics oversight will be integral to its commercialization efforts.

For the full article by Bronwyn Thompson, visit New Atlas.

Topics: AI & Digital