Australian startup creates a data center based on human brain cells - ForkLog: cryptocurrencies, AI, singularity, the future

Froklog · 2026-03-10T08:02:48+00:00

Cortical Labs is developing data centers using lab-grown human brain cells on silicon chips, offering energy-efficient computation. Their hybrid system consumes less power than traditional processors, showing promise in addressing computational power shortages amid the AI boom.

Froklog

2026-03-10 08:02:48

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# Australian startup creates data center based on human brain cells

The startup Cortical Labs has begun building two data centers that operate using human brain cells, according to Bloomberg.

The technology is based on neurons grown in laboratory conditions from stem cells. They are placed on special silicon chips that send electrical impulses into biological tissue and record the response. The software interacts with the cells, interpreting their activity as computational results.

Essentially, the startup is creating a hybrid system where living tissue functions as a processor.

Advantages and Energy Efficiency

The main advantage of this approach is extremely low energy consumption.

Neurons consume very little energy compared to traditional AI processors. Founder and CEO Hong Veng Chong emphasized that each CL1 unit uses fewer resources than a pocket calculator.

CL1 device. Source: Bloomberg. Based on the existing system, one data center has been built in Melbourne. A second is under construction in Singapore in partnership with DayOne Data Centers.

According to Chong, the Melbourne site will house 120 CL1 modules, while in Singapore, they plan to increase the number to 1,000 units. The startup aims to offer an alternative to traditional server racks, although it may take decades to fully replace conventional equipment.

The project reflects scientists’ efforts to find solutions to the problem of computing power shortages. Amid the AI boom, experts are already calling energy the most valuable resource in the world, prompting the industry to seek less energy-intensive data processing methods.

Despite currently modest performance metrics, Cortical Labs’ systems show steady development. One of the company’s early achievements was training brain cells to play Pong, and in February of this year, the biological system was able to interact with the iconic shooter game Doom.

Recall that in August 2024, Swiss company FinalSpark created a computer architecture from human brain organoids. The company rents out its computing power to researchers for $500 per month.

Earlier, Chinese scientists developed a robot with a lab-grown artificial brain capable of learning to perform various tasks.

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