• The CL1 Device: Cortical Labs grew human neurons derived from stem cells on a silicon microchip embedded with microelectrodes.
• Sensory Translation: A software interface translates visual data from Doom (like the appearance of an enemy or a wall) into electrical stimulation patterns sent to specific electrodes on the chip.
• Action and Feedback: The brain cells fire electrical signals back in response, which are translated into game actions like moving or shooting. Correct gameplay actions receive clean, predictable electrical signals, while errors or deaths trigger chaotic, noisy feedback that the neurons naturally try to avoid.

Researchers at Cortical Labs successfully trained a network of roughly 200,000 living human brain cells on a silicon chip to play the classic video game

How It Works
• The Hardware: The system uses CL1, a biological computer holding living human neurons grown from stem cells on a multi-electrode array microchip.
• The Interface: An API converts the video feed of Doom into patterns of electrical pulses that stimulate specific electrodes on the chip, acting as the neurons’ sensory input.
• The Output: The electrical firing patterns (spikes) produced by the brain cells in response are recorded by the chip and translated into game movements like turning, walking, or shooting.
• The Feedback Loop: Correct actions are rewarded with structured, predictable electrical signals, while chaos and random white noise act as punishment for poor moves, encouraging the cells to learn order and predictability