The Age of Biological Computers
Last year, Cortical Labs, a Melbourne-based startup, grabbed the attention of Amazon’s CTO Werner Vogels, who visited their headquarters to learn more about their groundbreaking creation: a human brain cell-powered computer chip called DishBrain. This incredible innovation consumes minimal energy and has the potential to perform AI tasks with greater efficiency than traditional AI systems.
Unlocking the Future of AI
Cortical Labs aims to revolutionize artificial intelligence by combining the learning abilities of human brains with the processing power of silicon chips. Their biological computers are made of lab-grown living brain cells and could one day transform various applications, from drug testing for brain diseases to reducing the energy bill required to train AI systems.
Funding and Commercialization
In April, Cortical Labs netted $10 million in funding led by Horizons Ventures, the private investment arm of Hong Kong’s richest person Li Ka-shing. Armed with this fresh capital, the company plans to start generating revenue by selling biological computers by the end of this year, with plans to provide cloud services in 2024.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations
Despite the enormous potential, there are still significant challenges ahead for Cortical Labs, such as proving the efficacy of their technology and overcoming ethical concerns around the use of lab-grown human brain cells. However, the startup is determined to push forward and engage with society on ethical concerns while building a path for AI’s future.
