Project description
Portable, more efficient AI systems that work like human brains
Today’s most successful AI algorithms are inspired by brain-like neural networks. However, unlike our highly efficient brains, running these algorithms on computers consumes very large amounts of energy. These extremely inefficient central processing units hinder the development of efficient, scalable and portable AI systems. The EU-funded ChipAI project will tap into the potential of photonics nanotechnology to deliver compact, high-bandwidth and energy-efficient central processing units. Researchers will use resonant tunnelling semiconductor nanostructures embedded in sub-wavelength metal cavities 100 times smaller than conventional ones to efficiently confine, emit and detect light. Project results will pave the way for further developments in the emerging field of neuromorphic optical computing.
Objective
The same way the internet revolutionized our society, the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that can learn without the need of explicit instructions is transforming our life. AI uses brain inspired neural network algorithms powered by computers. However, these central processing units (CPU) are extremely energy inefficient at implementing these tasks. This represents a major bottleneck for energy efficient, scalable and portable AI systems. Reducing the energy consumption of the massively dense interconnects in existing CPUs needed to emulate complex brain functions is a major challenge. ChipAI aims at developing a nanoscale photonics-enabled technology capable of deliver compact, high-bandwidth and energy efficiency CPUs using optically interconnected spiking neuron-like sources and detectors. ChipAI will pursue its main goal through the exploitation of Resonant Tunnelling (RT) semiconductor nanostructures embedded in sub-wavelength metal cavities, with dimensions 100 times smaller over conventional devices, for efficient light confinement, emission and detection. Key elements developed are non-linear RT nanoscale lasers, LEDs, detectors, and synaptic optical links on silicon substrates to make an economically viable technology. This platform will be able to fire and detect neuron-like light-spiking (pulsed) signals at rates 1 billion times faster than biological neurons (>10 GHz per spike rates) and requiring ultralow energy (<10 fJ). This radically new architecture will be tested for spike-encoding information processing towards validation for use in artificial neural networks. This will enable the development of real-time and offline portable AI and neuromorphic (brain-like) CPUs. In perspective, ChipAI will not only lay the foundations of the new field of neuromorphic optical computing, as will enable new non-AI functional applications in biosensing, imaging and many other fields where masses of cheap miniaturized pulsed sources and detectors are needed.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringcomputer hardwarecomputer processors
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologycomputational neuroscience
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdata sciencedata processing
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligencecomputational intelligence
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
4715-330 Braga
Portugal