Project description
A photonics-based 3D architecture could unleash the full potential of neural networks
Neural networks are AI computing systems inspired by the power of the brain's connectivity and neurons, but already outperforming humans in some ways. They are used in multiple applications, including pattern recognition, classification and optimisation. Exploiting their true potential has remained out of reach due to challenges in maintaining efficiency when applied to very large and complex networks. The EU-funded INSPIRE project will develop a pioneering approach using advanced photonic components. It will lead to a biologically inspired, fully parallel and scalable 3D architecture capable of orders of magnitude greater performance.
Objective
Neural networks revolutionize computation and already outperform humans according to many benchmarks. They have the potential to transform society and have already influenced Google to place artificial intelligence at the core (“AI first”) of business strategy. Governments and policy bodies worldwide focus on neural network-based computing as a vital future technology.
Despite the evident promise, however, current architectures severely lose computational efficiency when applied to large neural networks and scale badly. The performance of current neural network hardware is orders of magnitude below what is theoretically possible, and the future development of artificial intelligence is therefore in jeopardy.
I will solve this problem by developing neural network processors using advanced photonic components, specifically enabling a breakthrough with three-dimensional integrated photonic waveguides to implement a biologically inspired, fully parallel and scalable architecture. This is not an incremental improvement, but rather a completely new and never-explored approach, which will revolutionize neural network hardware.
Based on this technology, I will create a fully programmable optical tensor processing unit by interfacing 3D waveguide Mach-Zehnder interferometers with a commercial SLM. The unit will calculate the connection of a neural network with speeds and energy efficiency exceeding the state of the art by two orders of magnitude, while programmability makes it widely applicable. A second system will go far beyond by implementing fully-fletched and programmable optical neural networks based on 3D waveguides and semiconductor lasers.
The proof of principle building blocks of the project are in place and I am recognized as a leading researcher in the field. The realisation of this project will unlock doors to scalability, cascadability, and parallelism, and stimulate new research as well as applications in artificial intelligence.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics optoelectronics
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence machine learning deep learning
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence computational intelligence
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2021-COG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
75794 PARIS
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.