DayOne Data Centers has launched Singapore’s first Biological Data Center Prototype in partnership with Cortical Labs an

DayOne Data Centers Limited, a Singapore-headquartered global digital infrastructure platform, today unveiled Singapore’s first Biological Data Center Prototype alongside Cortical Labs and the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore. The milestone introduces wetware-based computing as a sustainable, energy-efficient alternative to conventional silicon infrastructure, addressing regional AI expansion under stricter environmental constraints. The prototype features a 20-unit CL1 biological computing system, marking the world’s first independently operated biologically integrated server rack. It places Cortical Labs technology into a live research environment at NUS Medicine, hosted within infrastructure designed by DayOne. Biological computing relies on living neurons derived from stem cells and interfaced with silicon hardware to process information. These neurons receive electrical signals, respond, and adapt over time, allowing the system to execute specific tasks using a fraction of the power required by traditional digital computers. The project leverages NUS Medicine’s neurobiology expertise, Cortical Labs’ proprietary technology, and DayOne’s mission-critical infrastructure experience to explore neuro-inspired artificial intelligence, biomedical modelling, drug discovery, and neurological disease research.

Jamie Khoo, Chief Executive Officer of DayOne, stated, "Our commitment to Singapore goes beyond capacity. We are here to help shape what the next generation of digital infrastructure looks like, and that means investing in approaches that meet Singapore's sustainability ambitions alongside its AI ambitions. This prototype is a step toward demonstrating that scaling compute and reducing resource intensity are goals we can pursue together." He added that Singapore possesses the research depth, infrastructure capability, and collaborative ecosystem to lead this exploration, expressing pride in translating frontier scientific research into practical impact with world-class partners in a sustainability-driven market. Hon Weng Chong, Founder and CEO of Cortical Labs, noted that "The establishment of this prototype shifts the conversation from research to commercial application." He explained that biological computing supplements AI in scenarios with sparse data, learning from far less and adapting as conditions change. Their objective is to identify high-value applications in drug discovery, humanoid robotics, cybersecurity, and fraud detection, ultimately providing a more sustainable trajectory for critical technologies. He emphasized that Singapore serves as Asia’s data centre innovation hub and that the local prototype will serve as the model for global replication and scaling. Professor Rickie Patani, Professor of Neuroscience at NUS Medicine and Director of the Neurobiology Programme at the NUS Life Sciences Institute, described the partnership as a genuine shift in computing and scientific potential. He highlighted that growing living human neurons from stem cells and pairing them with rigorous engineering creates both a more efficient alternative to silicon and a platform to study learning and adaptation at their biological source, accelerating drug discovery and neurological disease research.

The initiative aligns with Singapore’s Green Data Center Roadmap, which establishes higher energy efficiency standards as the government expands capacity for AI and cloud workloads. It also underscores DayOne’s broader strategic commitment to Singapore, citing the country’s research depth, regulatory maturity, and collaborative culture as ideal for responsible frontier computing development. As part of its local expansion, DayOne’s first Singapore data center, SG1, achieved structural topping out in May 2026 and is scheduled to become operational in early 2027. The company is simultaneously developing a Global Operations Command Center in Singapore while continuing to invest in clean, resilient infrastructure across its regional network. Since its founding in 2022, DayOne has secured approximately 2.1 GW of bookings across nine markets in Asia Pacific and Europe, supporting leading cloud and AI customers. The company designs, builds, and operates high-capacity, AI-ready campuses through a proprietary integrated delivery model, with active or developmental projects in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong SAR, Finland, and Spain. For additional details, visit dayonedc.com.