Cortical Labs launches first human brain cell data centre
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The news: Biological computing startup Cortical Labs has announced the launch of what it touts as the world’s first data centre that uses human brain cells on a silicon chip rather than computer chips.
The context: The facility has been launched in Melbourne as a proof-of-concept, with each CL1 biological compute unit able to run on 30 watts of power. This is less than the up to 6,000 watts typically used by a GPU.
It is reportedly building a second in Singapore with data centre partner DayOne Data Centers.
Cortical Labs says its bio data centre is “built around brain-like biological networks (organoids) that can learn and adapt in ways conventional computing struggles to replicate, while operating on a fraction of the energy required by digital systems”.
The neurons used in the system are grown from human stem cells. Further proof-of-concept programs will be run over the coming months.
What they said: “AI capacity is accelerating faster than most people realise, and everyone is talking about chips, models, and megawatts,” Cortical Labs founder and CEO Hon Weng Chong said.
“But far fewer are talking about the environmental and resource hazards that sit underneath this growth: the power constraints, the water trade-offs, and the sustainability risk if we simply build more of the same.”
The sources: Bloomberg, Cortical Labs media release
