tech
March 12, 2026
Human brain as a processor: First data centers with living cells being built, they also have a life support system
Australian startup Cortical Labs has begun building the first biological data centers that use human brain cells instead of standard processors. After proving their system can run the famous game Doom, the company is now planning widespread adoption of this technology.
TL;DR
- Cortical Labs is constructing biological data centers using human brain cells.
- Their CL1 hybrid computers integrate lab-grown neurons with silicon chips, allowing for real-time communication and adaptation.
- The technology has successfully run the game Doom.
- These centers are significantly more energy-efficient than traditional data centers, consuming less power than a pocket calculator.
- Plans include a 120-unit center in Melbourne and a 1,000-unit expansion in Singapore, with each unit containing approximately 200,000 neurons and a six-month life support system.
- The system utilizes a biological operating system called biOS for communication between cells and software.
- These biological computers are intended for specialized tasks requiring rapid adaptation and pattern recognition, not as direct replacements for large-scale servers.
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