Singapore's Brain Cell Computer Project Causes a Stir: Here's Why

An innovative development in the field of computing is emerging from Singapore. The country is developing a data centre that uses brain cells to process information, with the hope of reducing energy consumption for AI computing needs.

The Edge reports that the development of this biological data centre, which uses “wetware” components instead of “hardware,” is being carried out by DayOne, a data centre developer. They are partnering with Australian startup Cortical Labs.

Traditional data centres use silicon chips that require a large electricity supply. As a replacement for silicon, wetware consists of neurons or nerves grown from stem cells that form networks similar to the brain.

DayOne will provide capital and input to support Cortical Labs and NUS in building a wetware prototype.

Cortical Labs aims to build one server rack containing 20 units of Cortical Cloud, which will be used to test the performance and efficiency of the wetware-based computer system.

The server will undergo validation testing in a laboratory at NUS before being moved to a commercial facility. Commercial testing will be conducted at DayOne’s data centre, including ensuring the system can operate under real-world conditions.

If the prototype meets standards, DayOne plans to build 1,000 wetware-based computers in Singapore.

The cells for building the biological computer platform will be cultured at Singapore’s Life Sciences Institute. “The wetware system can help researchers take a new approach to models of learning, adaptation, and biology,” said Rickie Patani, a professor in neuroscience at NUS, quoted on Sunday (26/4/2026).

“Our expertise in neurobiology research, particularly in understanding how to generate specific subtypes of human neurons and glia from certain stem cells, provides a strong foundation for translating these biological principles into biocomputing platforms,” he added.