Fringey Mini: The lame version of immortality

In this mind-bending episode, we dive into the world of biological computers—yes, you heard that right, biological! Australian startup Cortical Labs has just launched the world’s first "code deployable biological computer," the CL1. Think of it as a shoe box packed with actual brain cells running neural networks—talk about bringing your brain to work!

We explore how these brainy devices have come a long way since Cortical Labs taught petri dish-grown neurons how to play Pong—talk about giving your neurons some serious gaming cred! But this isn’t just about neurons having fun; Cortical Labs sees this tech as a game-changer for drug testing and even disease modeling, potentially replacing animal testing with something much more... electrifying.

We discuss the brainy potential behind using neurons in AI, why biological brains still have the edge over silicon chips when it comes to generalized intelligence, and how Cortical Labs is combining hard silicon with soft tissue in an attempt to take biological AI to the next level. But don’t worry, we keep it light, as we brainstorm the possibilities, from saving power to maybe—even solving some of today’s toughest challenges.

So plug in, listen up, and prepare to have your mind wired for some truly futuristic technology! Will biological computing lead us to a smarter world, or will it remain just a neuronic dream? Tune in to find out!