A data center rack utilizing living neurons is now functioning in Singapore.

      NUS Medicine, data center operator DayOne, and Melbourne's Cortical Labs have introduced a prototype of a biological data center in Singapore, consisting of a 20-unit rack of computers powered by living neurons. The claim regarding its efficiency lacks any published data.

      The system, which operates on human neurons, was activated in Singapore and presented to approximately 80 attendees on August 6. The hardware includes 20 CL1 units, which the collaborators claim is the first independently operated biologically integrated server rack globally. The neurons utilized are cultivated from stem cells at the NUS Life Sciences Institute.

      The rationale presented for biological computing hinges on electricity consumption. This method is proposed as a means to enhance AI capability while consuming significantly less power than conventional silicon servers. However, the announcement did not provide any figures to substantiate this assertion. According to Cortical Labs' specifications, each CL1 unit consumes between 850 to 1,000 watts, suggesting that the entire rack may draw up to 20 kilowatts.

      This power consumption is typical, as a standard data center rack operates in a similar range. The consumption mainly goes toward sustaining the living cells rather than computational tasks, which presents a different challenge from the ones other startups are addressing.

      The efficiency lies with the neurons, rather than the infrastructure surrounding them. Switzerland’s FinalSpark, which operates a remote platform featuring 16 brain organoids, claims that its biological processors consume about a million times less energy than traditional digital chips. These assertions center on the cells performing computations. The infrastructure components like incubators, pumps, and temperature controls are the ones that contribute to the electricity costs.

      In Europe, a similar goal is being pursued using silicon technology. The Netherlands is developing a neuromorphic computing hub centered on chips that replicate neuron functions without requiring sustenance.

      Cortical Labs aims for commercial clients rather than solely focusing on academic research. Founder Hon Weng Chong states that this prototype transitions the dialogue toward commercial use, targeting applications in drug discovery, humanoid robotics, cybersecurity, and fraud detection.

      One limitation of this approach is biological; the CL1’s life support system allows its neurons to remain viable for up to six months, necessitating maintenance that silicon systems do not require.

      The key metric for comparison would be watts per useful task, which has not yet been published. Meanwhile, investors are continuing to fund brain-inspired alternatives that solely rely on electrical power.