At the MWC 2025 event in Barcelona, Australia-based tech company Cortical Labs revealed the CL1, the world’s first commercial biological computer powered by living human neurons. This revolutionary device, dubbed Synthetic Biological Intelligence (SBI), blends biology and technology to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence and medical research.
A report from New Atlas claims the CL1 operates using real human neurons cultivated from stem cells. These neurons are kept alive for up to six months through an internal life support system.
They grow across a silicon chip, creating a closed-loop system where electrical impulses are sent and received, allowing neurons to interact with a simulated digital environment. This process is powered by Cortical Labs’ Biological Intelligence Operating System (biOS).
Unlike traditional AI models that mimic brain function, the CL1 works with self-programming, flexible neurons — the result of four billion years of evolution. This enables researchers to directly deploy code into the neurons, observing their responses and learning processes in real time.
The most promising applications of the CL1 lies in medical research. Scientists can now study brain diseases, cognitive processes, and drug responses with unprecedented accuracy.
According to Cortical Labs, the device could revolutionize drug development by offering more human-relevant data than traditional animal testing. This shift reduces the reliance on animal models, addressing ethical concerns while producing more accurate insights into neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
The CL1 is a self-contained device, with all necessary computing power, life support systems, and data recording capabilities housed within it. It doesn’t require an external computer, making it energy-efficient—using just 850–1,000W of power.
For flexibility, the CL1 features USB ports and other connectors, allowing researchers to link cameras, sensors, and actuators for broader experiments. A built-in touchscreen interface offers real-time monitoring and data visualization.
Cortical Labs plans to commercialize the CL1 by the second half of 2025. Each unit is expected to cost around $35,000. For labs looking to scale their research, Cortical is developing a neural network server stack that will house 30 CL1 units. These server stacks will be available via a cloud-based platform, allowing remote access to biological computing power.
Cortical Labs
In a LinkedIn post, Dr. Hon Weng Chong, founder and CEO of Cortical Labs, highlighted the company’s mission: “To democratize access to biological intelligence, making it available to researchers without specialized hardware.” The upcoming Cortical Cloud will offer Wetware-as-a-Service (WaaS), giving scientists the ability to grow and interact with neurons remotely.
The CL1 builds upon Cortical Labs’ previous work with DishBrain, a biological computer containing 800,000 human and mouse neurons capable of learning to play Pong. The CL1, however, is a significant leap forward—offering commercial availability, extended neuron life support, and direct cloud integration.
To date, Cortical Labs has secured $11 million in funding from investors like Horizons Ventures, Blackbird Ventures, and LifeX Ventures. The company is also backed by In-Q-Tel, the investment arm of the CIA.
By the end of 2025, Cortical aims to have four biological neural network server stacks online, giving global researchers the tools to accelerate drug discovery, disease modeling, and AI development.
The CL1 is more than just a breakthrough in AI—it’s a fusion of organic intelligence and silicon computing. “This is programmable organic neural networks, born on a silicon chip and living inside a digital world,” says Cortical Labs.
