An innovative “brain-like” chip that IBM has shown as a prototype might greatly improve the energy efficiency of artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
It may also solve the worries about emissions from the massive computing centers that power AI technology. This advancement might result in AI chips for gadgets like cellphones that are more effective and don’t drain batteries as much.
The components of this prototype chip, which operate similarly to the synapses in the human brain, are what give it its exceptional efficiency. Scientist Thanos Vasilopoulos of IBM’s research facility in Zurich, Switzerland, claims that this cutting-edge design enables the chip to deliver outstanding performance while requiring little power.
Vasilopoulos went on to say that this improved energy efficiency will make it possible to do difficult activities even in contexts with limited power or battery capacity, like automobiles.
This chip uses memristors (memory resistors), analog components that can store a range of values as opposed to standard digital chips that only store information as 0s and 1s.
This is one of the main differences between this chip and others. Memristors behave in a manner that is strikingly similar to how synapses in the human brain function. This “brain-like” strategy might open the door to AI systems that more closely resemble biological processes, which could result in huge energy savings.
Although these developments are encouraging, there are still issues to be resolved before mainstream acceptance. A memristor-based computer is tough to construct, Prof. Ferrante Neri of the University of Surrey warned, with challenges like high material costs and challenging production.
Despite these challenges, experts anticipate the emergence of brain-like chips that could revolutionise AI technology in the near future.
The new chip’s integration of both analog and digital elements makes it compatible with existing AI systems, offering the potential for increased energy efficiency and longer battery life in devices like smartphones and cars.