NEURAL HARDWARE
Unlike conventional computers, with separate memory and processing, neural networks serve as both memory and processor. And since processing can occur in localized sections throughout, brains are also much better at multitasking. Traditional computers have to do most of that multitasking in a sequence, so it takes ages. Spaun would do much better running on hardware that works more like a neural network does. Many consider artificial neural networks implemented on chips to be the next leap in computing, allowing faster processing with lower power needs for tasks like handling images, audio and video. Hardware is facing bottlenecks because we can’t keep making devices faster and faster. This has forced people to reexamine neuromorphic approaches. Qualcomm and IBM are right on this with the new chips Zeroth and True North. These chips are hardwired with versions of neurons and synapses in traditional computing parts, but a relatively new electronic component enables a more di...