This Startup Fused Human Brain Cells with Silicon Chips | E2295
June 1, 2026 · 1 h 6 min
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Show notes
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Today's show:
Cortical Labs is the world's first company selling biological computers. Their CL1 fuses lab-grown human neurons (derived from stem cells, not actual folks) with silicon hardware to create Synthetic Biological Intelligence (SBI).
Founder Dr. Hon Weng Chong walks us through how the system works and why neurons are more efficient than GPUs at reinforcement learning. (Also… is this computer alive?)
PLUS Pyka co-founder and CEO Michael Norcia explains the various uses for his autonomous aircraft, from crop-spraying drones in Brazil to a a hybrid-electric defense UAV for the military.
Guests:
Cortical Labs: ****https://corticallabs.com/
Dr. Hon Weng Chong on X: https://x.com/dr1337
Pyka: https://www.flypyka.com/
Pyka on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flypyka/?hl=en
Further Reading:
2022 Pong paper in Neuron: https://www.cell.com/neuron/fulltext/S0896-6273(22)00806-6
2017 Paper: "Attention is All You Need"; https://arxiv.org/abs/1706.03762
The "Barista Test" for Artificial Intelligence: Chris Rourk: https://medium.com/predict/the-turing-test-is-so-last-century-the-barista-test-for-artificial-general-intelligence-faf91034fa8c
Notable Links:
Playing "DOOM" on CL1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRV8fSw6HaE
DayOne Data Center: https://dayonedc.com/
NeurIPS 2026 Conference: https://neurips.cc/
Neuralink: https://neuralink.com/
CliniCloud Digital Stethoscope and Thermometer: https://www.design-industry.com.au/clinicloud
Air Force Research Laboratory (AFWERX): https://afwerx.com/
Joby Aviation: https://www.jobyaviation.com/
Prime Movers Lab: https://www.primemoverslab.com/
Timestamps:
What is "biological computing"?
Cortical's new $30 million raise
The world's first biological data center
Deel - Founders scale faster on Deel. Set up payroll for any country in minutes, hire anyone anywhere, get visas handled fast, and get back to building. Visit https://deel.com/twist to learn more.
Biological computers have a learning advantage
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From paper airplanes to Group 4 UAVs
Introducing the DropShip defense drone
How regulations block US drones
Why Pyka builds everything in-house
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