World’s First ‘Bioprocessor’ Computer Made Of 16 Lab-Grown Human Brains Goes Live In Switzerland

A new era of computing has been unleashed after a cyborg computer dubbed a “bioprocessor” was recently activated in Switzerland, with claims that it uses “a million times less power” consumption than a conventional computer chip.

First reported by Tom’s Hardware, the Swiss startup FinalSpark says their Neuroplatform is the world’s first online platform delivering access to biological neurons in vitro.

The outlet explained: ‘FinalSpark says its Neuroplatform is capable of learning and processing information, and due to its low power consumption, it could reduce the environmental impacts of computing. In a recent research paper about its developments, FinalSpark claims that training a single LLM like GPT-3 required approximately 10GWh – about 6,000 times greater energy consumption than the average European citizen uses in a whole year. Such energy expenditure could be massively cut following the successful deployment of bioprocessors.’

The Neuroplatform’s operation are referred to as wetware: the merging of hardware, software, and biology. The Neuroplatform relies on four Multi-Electrode Arrays (MEAs) lodges the organoids, made up of 3D cell masses of brain tissue.

The report went on to say:

Each MEA holds four organoids, interfaced by eight electrodes used for both stimulation and recording. Data goes to-and-fro via digital analog converters (Intan RHS 32 controller) with a 30kHz sampling frequency and a 16-bit resolution. These key architectural design features are supported by a microfluidic life support system for the MEAs, and monitoring cameras. Last but not least, a software stack allows researchers to input data variables, and then read and interpret processor output.

FinalSpark has given access to its remote computing platform to nine institutions to help spur bioprocessing research and development. With such institutions’ collaboration, it hopes to create the world’s first living processor. Also, there are already three dozen universities interested in Neuroplatform access…