Bio-Computer Plays Pong: A New Era of Biological AI?
2025-03-05
Australian startup Cortical Labs unveiled CL1, a biological computer powered by hundreds of thousands of living human neurons. Accessible via a cloud-based "Wetware-as-a-Service" system, CL1 boasts low power consumption and rapid learning capabilities, promising applications in disease modeling, drug testing, and biological AI. While CL1's learning abilities currently lag behind traditional AI, its unique biological properties offer advantages in specific applications; it has already taught neurons to play Pong. However, ethical concerns have been raised, prompting the team to collaborate with bioethicists to ensure safety and responsible development.