This Week in Startups

TWiST 500 interviews with Cortical Labs, Turing, AND Mercor | E2159

58 snips
Aug 1, 2025
Hon Weng Chong, CEO of Cortical Labs, discusses the groundbreaking integration of biology and computing, showcasing their living cell-based computer. Jonathan Siddarth, CEO of Turing, highlights the urgent need for tougher LLM benchmarks to drive AI improvements. Brendan Foody, co-founder of Mercor, reveals how AI is set to transform recruitment, enhancing the synergy between recruiters and online platforms for job matching. Together, they explore innovative tech's potential to reshape our world.
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INSIGHT

Hybrid Biological-Digital Computing

  • Cortical Labs combines biology and digital computing using neurons grown on multi-electrode arrays to create hybrid systems.
  • Neurons communicate electrically, enabling a shared language between biological brains and electronic chips.
ANECDOTE

Pong and Neural Feedback

  • Cortical Labs used electrical stimulation mimicking positive and negative feedback to guide neuron-based Pong playing.
  • This approach was inspired by the free energy principle, viewing the brain as a predictive, generative system.
INSIGHT

Biological Efficiency and Use Cases

  • Biological neural systems consume far less energy than traditional computing, powered by glucose in cell media.
  • Cortical Labs' neurons perform well in low-data, real-time specific problems unsuitable for large data set AI models.
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