this post was submitted on 11 Sep 2026
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A Biological Data Centre represents a new generation of computing infrastructure. Instead of relying solely on conventional silicon chips, it uses “wetware” — living biological neurons derived from stem cells — to process information and support AI systems. In contrast to traditional data centres, which depend on energy-intensive servers, biological computing offers the potential for significantly greater efficiency by harnessing brain-like organoids that can operate using only a fraction of the power required by digital computers.

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[–] skulkbane@lemmy.world 2 points 9 hours ago

Aww yeah, screaming datacenter timeline unlocked.

[–] hirihit640@sh.itjust.works 4 points 20 hours ago

hooks it up to speakers

"ahhhAAAaahAhhh"

scientists: "hmm something must be bugged, let me fiddle with it some more"

[–] sunbeam60@feddit.uk 5 points 23 hours ago

So deeply unethical it’s unreal.

[–] Kazumara@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 20 hours ago

I reject the notion of calling this a data center. A single rack with 20 little pods is not a data center.

They just want to be a data center, because data centers are currently on investor minds.

[–] LodeMike@lemmy.today 6 points 1 day ago

16 mano-neters?

[–] NewNewAugustEast@lemmy.zip 18 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Anyone else read this:

Brain cells at work Traditional data centers rely on silicon processors and general-purpose Central Processing Units (CPUs). They typically use standard air cooling to handle cloud computing, web hosting, and database storage workloads.

Biological computing, in contrast, uses wetware to process data. This consists of living neurons grown from stem cells. The neurons are connected to computing hardware via microelectrode arrays. These let electrical signals pass between the biological cells and digital systems.

And wonder what they were trying to say or why they said it this way?

Here is the part in question:

They typically use standard air cooling to handle cloud computing, web hosting, and database storage workloads.

Biological computing, in contrast, uses wetware to process data.

Ok, AND? What does air cooling have to do with anything? Is wetware NON standard air cooling?

Either way, isnt this the section where you say Traditional Data Centers rely on electricity, and these rely on X, Y or Z? Nutrient baths? Sump pumps?

[–] WorldsDumbestMan@lemmy.today 13 points 1 day ago

They copy-pasted part of the wikipedia to explain something they don't really understand.

[–] Taleya@aussie.zone 8 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Yeah especially since wetware systems basically use their foodbaths to carry away heat. It's not hard...but someone decided mentioning these things are "alive" might draw some ire

[–] NathanRanch@lemmy.zip 64 points 2 days ago (1 children)

As grim as it sounds, this is probably just a grift. It sounds like they're using stem cells as wires, and they'll die eventually. There's some ai word salad in the article too.

[–] technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

This is definitely a grift.

it uses "wetware" ... to process information and support "AI" systems

Most importantly, "AI" doesn't exist. Secondly there is absolutely zero "AI" technologies that need "support" from these petri dishes.

the technology could complement AI

Hmmm... Later in the article it changes from "it uses to support AI" to "it could complement AI". Curious.

Actually the first quote from OP isn't even in the article. Did they update it because it's fake?

[–] PerogiBoi@lemmy.ca 19 points 2 days ago (2 children)

In the grimdark present of humanity...

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[–] UltraGiGaGigantic@lemmy.ml 16 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

One day, we will look back to the time when people were allowed to die with tired unblinking eyes.

[–] brownsugga@lemmy.world 99 points 2 days ago (3 children)
[–] yardratianSoma@lemmy.ca 15 points 2 days ago (1 children)

yo hold up, wetware is an actual thing? Since fucking when?

[–] WorldsDumbestMan@lemmy.today 2 points 1 day ago

Quite some time now. Idk why they bother with making baby brains, when we have mostly functioning brains they can extract from us for cheap, to put into their kill and sex bots.

[–] uairhahs@lemmy.world 38 points 2 days ago
[–] Fandangalo@lemmy.world 72 points 2 days ago

I was there. They let me take a picture of the tech.

[–] GreenKnight23@lemmy.world 52 points 2 days ago
[–] SuspiciousCarrot78@aussie.zone 60 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (13 children)

Ah these guys. Weren't they the ones using electo shock therapy on their "organoids" to "teach" (force) them to play Doom?

https://hwbusters.com/news/human-brain-cells-on-a-chip-learned-to-play-doom-in-a-week/

And didn't said organoids mysteriously "fire" the moment someone walked into the lab?

https://www.sciencealert.com/brain-tissue-grown-in-the-lab-produces-brainwaves-resemblings-pre-term-babies

Nah, it'll be fine.

Hey, here's a cool idea. Why not take "samples" from "neurodivergent" children (let's say... 1500cm^3... throw in some spinal cord), finely sliced, and bathe them in Adderal, Dr Fucking Mengele. Just think how "on task" the compute will be!

In fairness, the ScienceAlert piece notes that if any start to show signs of consciousness, they will "consider" shutting the project down.

Which is reassuring in the way that a fire extinguisher on a rocket is reassuring.

PS: sorry if I was unclear. STOP FUCKING CREATING BRAINS IN A VAT, YOU FUCKING MONSTERS.

[–] Toga77@lemmy.world 33 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

"if they show signs of consciousness we'll shut it down" is so absolutely batshit especially when you consider people like me learned while in school that fish don't feel any pain.

We were extremely confidently incorrect about that one.....

This is fucking abhorrent.

[–] soyslurper2@lemmy.dbzer0.com 22 points 2 days ago

They were also engineered to be deficient in a protein that's essential for the normal function of neurons.

Given the careful engineering of the organoids to inhibit normal function, the researchers are not worried at this stage. However, if any start to show signs of consciousness, they will consider shutting the project down.

Making them stupid so they don't appear "human" 🫩

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[–] driftwood@lemmy.zip 83 points 2 days ago (1 children)

They should use the neurons of the tech oligarchs if they’re so smart.

[–] schipelblorp@sh.itjust.works 71 points 2 days ago (2 children)

They'll have to add ketamine to the bionutrient slurry.

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[–] recarsion@discuss.tchncs.de 7 points 1 day ago

harnessing brainlike organoids

that sounds dangerously close to being a human

[–] Armand1@lemmy.world 60 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Lovely. Man-made horrors beyond our comprehension.

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[–] chahn.chris@piefed.social 45 points 2 days ago

Dear humanity,

Consider maybe not.

Thanks,
-A Human

[–] MalReynolds@slrpnk.net 27 points 2 days ago

Yay, torment nexus, and if it isn't yet, it will be soon.

[–] theacharnian@lemmy.ca 15 points 2 days ago

This was signed off by an ethics review board...

[–] muusemuuse@sh.itjust.works 23 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Behold, the incredibly efficient human. It eats garbage, live about 80 years, adapts to any fucking environment….

Yea but it’s just not expensive enough.

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[–] schipelblorp@sh.itjust.works 35 points 2 days ago

This research will be funding Chairs at university Ethics departments for decades to come.

[–] AllNewTypeFace@leminal.space 33 points 2 days ago

New grift just dropped

[–] LazyOldPervert@lemmus.org 9 points 2 days ago (3 children)

It's ironic because no one can prove that our universe and existence there-in is not an identical hellscape used to power the ai of some larger more superior form of sentience.

[–] Exatron@lemmy.world 10 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Are you suggesting our universe is just slavery with extra steps?

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[–] magnue@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago

Imagine our overlords' amusement when they see us create a simulation to enslave ourselves within their own simulation.

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[–] fruitycoder@sh.itjust.works 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Cool. I wonder what the maintenance looks like for those, and programming.

[–] mofongo@discuss.tchncs.de 9 points 2 days ago

If it's anything like me, it only needs sugar water and potato chips.

[–] digger@lemmy.ca 10 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Came here looking for a comment referencing Neelix cheese... And I'm disappointed. I expected more from y'all. Where's my niche Star Trek Voyager reference?

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[–] HotsauceHurricane@lemmy.world 17 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Oh so they are aiming for that evangelion shit . Cool cool cool Cool cool cool Cool cool cool

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