Intel: Chips designed like the human brain

The developments in the field of artificial intelligence present new challenges for chip makers. Intel is setting the pace for the future and is experimenting with a chip architecture that resembles the structure of the human brain.

Intel’s test chip is named “Loihi” and goes back to Carver Mead’s concept of a “neuromorphic computer”. The professor of the California Institute of Technology developed the concept in the late 80’s. Mead’s revolutionary approach to thinking was to take the human brain and its neural data processing as a blueprint for the development of a new type of computer chip.

According to Intel’s press release, Loihi is to consist of a network of cores. Each core contains a programmable engine, which has different learning paradigms. The cores simulate a total of 130,000 neurons, which can communicate asynchronously over 130 million artificial synapses.

Masterful in pattern recognition

On the basis of this neural network, the experimental chip should be extremely energy-saving and independent to learn. As an application example, the company cites Internet security: the chip continuously processes data and determines a “normal state” without external influence. If unforeseen deviations occur, the chip can automatically sound an alarm.

Intel currently sees the greatest potential for the chip in industrial applications and in robotics. In the first half of 2018, the prototype is to be made available to leading universities and research facilities for test purposes.

Featured Image: Intel