Chinese scientists have achieved a groundbreaking milestone by developing the most energy-efficient microchips for artificial intelligence globally. These microchips can be seamlessly integrated into smart devices and smartphones, paving the way for innovative offline applications such as voice control and power management through thought.
The experts managed to significantly reduce energy consumption by optimizing algorithms and architecture. At the IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC), the team showcased two microprocessors.
The first microchip is specifically designed for smart devices to enable voice control features. This chip can accurately recognize keywords and the speaker’s voice, even in noisy environments, with an accuracy exceeding 95% in quiet settings and 90% in noisy surroundings.
During a demonstration, a 1 sq. cm chip was integrated into a 3 x 3 cm microcontroller inside a toy machine for controlling its movements. Users were able to control the robot’s actions using the power of thought with the help of this chip.
The second microchip, on the other hand, is tailored to detect epileptic seizures in individuals with epilepsy using an electroencephalogram (EEG) to identify seizures. With enhanced signal definition and learning mechanisms, this chip stands out as the most energy-efficient in the world, consuming only 0.07 microjoules (μJ) for recognition. Apart from detecting seizures, this chip can also be utilized in brain-computer interfaces and for monitoring sleep patterns.
In a related development, Neuralink recently introduced the first individual to receive a brain implant, enabling him to play online chess and the video game Civilization solely through the power of thought. Additionally, he has been able to master other games like Mario Kart, study new games, and even independently post on social media platforms.