BBB launches Bionode, merging neurons with AI computing

A Baltimore startup called Biological Black Box (BBB) has introduced a new technology called Bionode, which uses living, lab-grown neurons to power artificial intelligence systems. This platform combines biological computing with traditional processors, aiming to provide a more efficient alternative to conventional graphics processing units (GPUs), which are often made by companies like Nvidia and AMD. BBB’s co-founder Alex Ksendzovsky explained that advancements in biology, hardware, and computation have made this biological computing approach possible. The company uses neurons grown from human stem cells and rat cells, which are integrated into a chip containing electrodes. These neurons can adapt and rewire themselves, which may lead to reduced energy costs and improved processing efficiency for AI tasks. The Bionode platform has already been tested in areas such as computer vision and large language model (LLM) training. Ksendzovsky noted that the biological neurons could speed up LLM training and lower energy consumption compared to traditional GPUs. He emphasized that BBB does not see itself as a direct competitor to Nvidia and believes that biological and silicon computing can work together. As BBB prepares to expand its technology, it is mindful of ethical concerns and is collaborating with ethicists to ensure responsible development. The company is moving its operations to the Bay Area and hopes to play a role in shaping the future of hybrid AI, where biological and silicon elements coexist for enhanced capabilities.