Australia's Cortical Labs launches world’s first biocomputer fueled by human neurons

In a stunning breakthrough that could revolutionize both medical research and artificial intelligence, Australian tech company Cortical Labs has unveiled the world’s first CL1 biocomputer — a machine powered not by conventional silicon, but by human neurons grown in the laboratory.

Located in Melbourne, Cortical Labs has created a biological computer that challenges everything we know about technology and biology. CL1 is driven by hundreds of thousands of artificially grown neurons that communicate, learn, and adapt in ways previously thought impossible.

Brett Kagan, the scientific director at Cortical Labs, expressed the monumental potential of the biocomputer. “It's difficult to fully grasp the possibilities that human neurons could open up,” Kagan said. “Disease modelling, drug testing, and even creating forms of artificial intelligence that evolve and adapt. The applications are limitless.”

What sets the CL1 apart is its dynamic, adaptive nature. Cortical Labs highlights that the biocomputer’s neural networks, unlike conventional silicon chips, are more flexible and resilient. “The possibilities of this technology are vast. It’s far more dynamic than any AI system available today,” said Kagan.

The CL1 functions as an evolving organism. On a silicon chip, it continuously grows and learns, adapting far faster and more efficiently than any current chip-based systems, including advanced AI models like ChatGPT. This could be a game-changer for fields as diverse as drug development, disease research, and artificial intelligence.

In terms of hardware, the biocomputer is designed with stability and longevity in mind. The setup includes a "body in a box," where neurons are carefully maintained with pumps circulating gases, material storage, wave filtration, and temperature control systems. This ensures the neurons remain alive and active, able to interact and learn autonomously.

In an ambitious next step, Cortical Labs is developing a biological neural network server, consisting of 30 interconnected CL1 modules. This server, which will be operational in the coming months, is expected to significantly expand the capacity of this revolutionary technology. Personal CL1 biocomputers will also be available for public sale starting in the second half of 2025, with an initial price point of $35,000 per unit.

The implications for science and medicine are enormous. Experts believe the ability to model diseases or test drugs using real human neurons could dramatically accelerate the development of treatments for complex conditions. Moreover, the potential for creating more organic, adaptable AI could lead to breakthroughs that push the boundaries of current technology.

As Kagan concluded, "Once this technology is in the hands of users, it will change the entire landscape of scientific and medical research, marking a new era of computing." With CL1, the future of biocomputing has arrived — and it could transform not just how we think about technology, but how we approach some of the most pressing challenges in healthcare.

By Tamilla Hasanova