Meet CL1 — the world’s first computer powered by both brain cells and silicon

Australian company Cortical Labs has introduced CL1, the world’s first “biological computer” that combines human brain cells with silicon hardware to create advanced neural networks. Launched on March 2, 2025, in Barcelona, CL1 marks a major step toward what the company calls synthetic biological intelligence (SBI) —a system designed to be more adaptable, resilient, and energy-efficient than traditional computers.

It’s about the size of a shoebox and built for practical applications like drug discovery and disease modeling. Cortical Labs also claims it’s the first biological computer capable of running actual code — a breakthrough that could reshape the future of computing.

CL1 combines lab-grown human brain neurons with a flat array of 59 electrodes, enabling real-time two-way communication — it can stimulate the cells and read their signals. A built-in life support system keeps the cells alive and healthy, and the entire unit runs on just 850 to 1000 watts of power.

This allows brain cells to create dynamic, evolving neural networks that learn and adapt continuously. Back in 2022, Cortical Labs trained 800,000 neurons, taken from both human and mouse cells, to play a video game, illustrating their concept of a "self-advancing brain."

The human-cell neural networks forming on CL1’s silicon chip are essentially a living computer. According to its creators, it learns so quickly and flexibly that it already outpaces the silicon-based AI chips used to train today’s most advanced large language models, including ChatGPT.

"The perfusion circuit component acts as a life support system for the cells – it has filtration for waste products, temperature control, gas mixing, and pumps to keep everything circulating,” Brett Kagan, chief scientific officer of Cortical Labs, told New Atlas.

Cortical Labs says that the first CL1 computers will be available for shipment to customers in June, with each unit priced at approximately $35,000.

Biological computers like CL1 could offer real advantages over traditional AI models, especially when it comes to learning speed and energy efficiency. Since neurons can adapt and rewire themselves, this kind of tech could lead to meaningful change in fields like robotics, automation, and advanced data analysis.

Moreover, CL1 could change not only how we study the brain but also how we apply AI in medicine, robotics, and drug development. It could help scientists model diseases more accurately, test new treatments without relying on animal experiments, and build smart systems that adapt to real-world environments. It’s a powerful example of how biology and computing might come together to drive the next wave of innovation.

The use of human brain cells in technology also brings up some ethical concerns. Even though the neurons in CL1 are lab-grown and don’t have any form of consciousness, it’s still a sensitive area. As this field develops, there will likely be a growing need for clear guidelines to address the moral and regulatory questions that come with it.