A breakthrough in computing: Cortical Labs' CL1 is the first living biocomputer and costs almost the same as 'Apple's best failure' - Related to bitcoin, shift, u.s., living, assets

A breakthrough in computing: Cortical Labs' CL1 is the first living biocomputer and costs almost the same as 'Apple's best failure'

Cortical Labs has built the first deployable biological computer, priced at $35,000.

The CL1 integrates living neurons with silicon for real-time computation.

The next step will be to build a biological neural network server stack.

Despite the unquestionably impressive advancements we’ve witnessed in recent years, AI is still lagging far behind human intelligence. While it can process vast amounts of data, recognize patterns, and generate responses at speed, it lacks true understanding and reasoning, and although it’s getting superior, the issue of hallucinations - when the AI makes stuff up - remains a problem.

Two years ago, researchers from Johns Hopkins University in Australia, together with scientists at Cortical Labs in Melbourne, suggested that the answer to real, less artificial AI was organoids - computers built with human brain cells. Fast forward to today, and Cortical Labs has turned the theory into reality with the production of the world’s first commercialized biological computer.

The CL1, which will be manufactured to order but is available for purchase online (the option to buy time on the chips will also be offered), is a Synthetic Biological Intelligence (SBI).

“Real neurons are cultivated inside a nutrient-rich solution, supplying them with everything they need to be healthy. They grow across a silicon chip, which sends and receives electrical impulses into the neural structure," the corporation says.

The world the neurons exist in is created by Cortical Labs’ Biological Intelligence Operating System (biOS) and “runs a simulated world and sends information directly to the neurons about their environment. As the neurons react, their impulses affect their simulated world. We bring these neurons to life, and integrate them into the biOS with a mixture of hard silicon and soft tissue. You get to connect directly to these neurons.”.

By deploying code directly to the real neurons, the enterprise proposes the CL1 can solve today’s most difficult challenges, “The neuron is self-programming, infinitely flexible, and the result of four billion years of evolution. What digital AI models spend tremendous resources trying to emulate, we begin with.”.

"Today is the culmination of a vision that has powered Cortical Labs for almost six years," noted Dr. Hon Weng Chong, Founder and CEO of Cortical Labs. "However, our long-term mission has been to democratize this technology, making it accessible to researchers without specialized hardware and software. The CL1 is the realization of that mission. While today's announcement is incredibly exciting, it's the foundation for the next stage of innovation. The real impact and the real implications will come from every researcher, academic, or innovator that builds on top of it."

A findings from New Atlasclaims Cortical is constructing a “first-of-its-kind biological neural network server stack, housing 30 individual units that each contain the cells on their electrode array, which is expected to go online in the coming months.” The site reports the business is aiming to have four stacks available for commercial use via a cloud system by the end of 2025.

As for pricing, the CL1 will be surprisingly affordable. “The units themselves are expected to have a price tag of around US$35,000, to start with (anything close to this kind of tech is currently priced at €80,000, or nearly US$85,000),” New Atlas adds.

For context, Apple’s “best failure” the Lisa, which paved the way for the Macintosh and even Microsoft Windows, sold for $9,[website] in January 1983 which, adjusting for inflation, works out to a comparable $32,500 today. Will the CL1 prove be as critical to computing’s future as the Lisa was? It's impossible to say, but for now its impact will largely depend on scalability, practical applications, and how well it integrates into existing AI and computing systems.

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Broadband policy shift in the U.S. drops fiber priority, could funnel billions to Starlink

What just happened? The Trump administration has presented a significant shift in the $[website] billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, eliminating the preference for fiber Internet infrastructure. This change is expected to redirect substantial funding towards non-fiber technologies, such as Elon Musk's Starlink satellite service, potentially allocating between $10 billion and $20 billion to such providers.

This move marks a departure from the Biden administration's approach, which emphasized fiber-optic networks as the most future-proof and reliable option for broadband deployment.

The BEAD program was authorized by Congress in November 2021, with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) developing rules under the Biden administration. These rules prioritized end-to-end fiber-optic architecture due to its ability to be easily upgraded by replacing equipment at the ends of fiber-optic facilities.

This approach also supports the deployment of 5G and other advanced wireless services, which rely heavily on fiber for backhaul. However, the Trump administration has criticized these rules as overly restrictive and ineffective.

Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick has been vocal about the need for change, stating that the program has not connected anyone to the Internet due to "woke mandates, favoritism towards certain technologies, and burdensome regulations."

The Trump administration is adopting a "tech-neutral" approach to provide Internet access at the lowest cost to taxpayers. This shift includes exploring ways to cut government red tape that slows down infrastructure construction to deliver high-speed Internet access efficiently and effectively.

The decision to end the fiber preference has been criticized by Democrats and advocacy groups. House Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr., accused Republicans of undermining efforts to deploy reliable and affordable broadband, labeling Elon Musk as a "grifter."

The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society expressed concerns that the shift could leave millions with slower and less reliable Internet, as fiber broadband offers faster speeds, higher bandwidth, and symmetrical upload and download speeds, making it ideal for demanding applications like telehealth and gaming.

Despite these concerns, the Trump administration is moving forward with changes, aiming to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and expedite infrastructure construction. Republicans are also proposing legislative changes to eliminate what they see as burdensome conditions imposed by the Biden administration.

Meanwhile, Starlink could benefit significantly from these changes, potentially gaining access to substantial funding through both the BEAD program and other federal initiatives. The Federal Communications Commission could also direct more money to Starlink through universal service programs, although the FCC is not directly involved in the BEAD program.

The shift in policy has also raised questions about conflicts of interest, particularly given Elon Musk's role in the Trump administration. Recent reports suggest that Starlink could take over a $2 billion contract with the Federal Aviation Administration, although SpaceX has denied seeking to replace existing contracts. The FCC's newly appointed chairman, Brendan Carr, has expressed support for Starlink, potentially paving the way for future grant awards.

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Trump establishes strategic Bitcoin reserve using seized assets

What just happened? In a move that has both intrigued and disappointed the cryptocurrency market, [website] President Donald Trump has signed an executive order establishing a strategic reserve of cryptocurrencies. This initiative will utilize tokens already seized by the government through criminal or civil asset forfeiture proceedings. The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve will be capitalized with existing Bitcoin holdings rather than new purchases, leading to a mixed reaction from industry stakeholders.

While some in the crypto community welcomed the announcement, others expressed disappointment as Bitcoin's price dropped more than 5% upon learning that the reserve would not involve government purchases of new tokens. However, the order leaves open the possibility of future acquisitions, provided they do not impose additional costs on taxpayers.

In addition, the [website] Secretaries of Commerce and Treasury are authorized to develop budget-neutral strategies for acquiring more Bitcoin.

Just a few minutes ago, President Trump signed an Executive Order to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

The Reserve will be capitalized with Bitcoin owned by the federal government that was forfeited as part of criminal or civil asset forfeiture proceedings. This means it... – David Sacks (@davidsacks47) March 7, 2025.

Andrew O'Neill, managing director of digital assets at S&P Global Ratings, told Reuters that the significance of this executive order is largely symbolic, as it marks the first time Bitcoin is formally recognized as a reserve asset of the [website] government.

"The reserve will only include Bitcoin already owned by the US government," O'Neill expressed, adding that "there is no indication yet of how much, if any, would be acquired nor a timeline."

The executive order establishes a [website] Digital Asset Stockpile alongside the Bitcoin reserve. This stockpile will consist of cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin, but like the Bitcoin reserve, it will only include assets obtained through forfeiture proceedings.

Not in our wildest dreams, could we ever have imagined that one day the President of the United States would establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. – Charlie Shrem (@CharlieShrem) March 7, 2025.

Trump had previously named Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, Solana, and Cardano as potential assets for a government reserve, causing a temporary spike in their market values.

Despite the symbolic recognition of Bitcoin as a strategic asset, some critics view the move as underwhelming. Charles Edwards, founder of Capriole Investments, called the order "the most underwhelming and disappointing" outcome, likening it to "a pig in lipstick" since it merely formalizes existing holdings without active buying.

The White House Crypto Summit, held after the announcement, was expected to provide further details on the administration's plans. However, questions remain about how the reserve will function and benefit taxpayers. White House Crypto Czar David Sacks emphasized that the federal government aims to maximize the value of its holdings but did not provide specifics.

This is the most underwhelming and disappointing outcome we could have expected for this week. But also not surprising. Looks like no tangible BSR in 2025. No active buying means this is just a fancy title for Bitcoin holdings that already existed with the Govt. This is a pig in... [website] – Charles Edwards (@caprioleio) March 7, 2025.

Trump's support for the crypto industry has been controversial, particularly given the financial backing it provided to his campaign and other Republican candidates. Critics argue that his moves could be seen as favors to an already wealthy community, while proponents believe a reserve could help taxpayers benefit from crypto's price growth.

Sacks estimated that the [website] government owns approximately 200,000 Bitcoin, valued at around $[website] billion.

In related developments, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) clarified that national banks can engage in certain crypto activities – such as digital asset custody and participation in distributed ledger networks – without requiring advance regulatory approval.

This decision is expected to encourage more banks to enter the cryptocurrency market, providing clients with greater access to digital asset services. Additionally, the OCC's stance lends legitimacy to cryptocurrencies, potentially accelerating mainstream adoption and investment in digital assets.

However, other regulatory bodies like the Federal Reserve and the FDIC have yet to clarify their stances. This means that while the OCC's decision is a significant step forward, full integration of cryptocurrencies into the banking system still faces challenges.

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