Intel Makes AI Breakthrough with World’s Largest Neuromorphic System Inspired By Human Brain

Intel has recently made a significant breakthrough in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) with the creation of the world's largest neuromorphic system. This remarkable system, codenamed Hala Point, represents a major leap forward in sustainable AI research and development.

Neuromorphic systems are designed to imitate the electrical properties of real neurons, found in human brain, more closely, which could speed up computation and use less energy.

Intel's Hala Point is an advanced neuromorphic system designed to emulate the intricate workings of the human brain. It contains an impressive 1.15 billion neurons. To put this into perspective, that's more neurons than there are stars in our Milky Way galaxy!

Hala Point, contains 1.15 billion neurons for more sustainable Al. (Credit: Intel Corporation)

At the heart of Hala Point lies Intel’s Loihi 2 processor, a marvel of engineering. This processor is specifically designed for brain-inspired computing and enables efficient and scalable AI. It combines deep learning efficiency with novel brain-inspired learning and optimization capabilities.

Hala Point demonstrates state-of-the-art computational efficiencies on mainstream AI workloads. It can support up to 20 quadrillion operations per second (20 petaops) with an efficiency exceeding 15 trillion 8-bit operations per second per watts (TOPS/W) when executing conventional deep neural networks. These levels rival and even exceed architectures built on graphics processing units (GPUs) and central processing units (CPUs).

The Intel Neuromorphic Research Team pose for a photo with Hala Point (from left): Patricio Martinez, platform hardware design engineer, Eduardo Quijano Centeno, lead platform hardware design engineer, Gerardo Peralta Francisco, platform hardware designer, and Leobardo Campos Macias, Al applied research scientist. (Credit: Intel Corporation)

Applications:

Hala Point's unique capabilities open up exciting possibilities for real-time continuous learning in various AI applications. These include:

• Scientific and Engineering Problem-Solving: Researchers can leverage Hala Point for solving complex scientific and engineering challenges.
• Logistics and Smart City Infrastructure Management: The system can enhance logistics and optimize smart city operations.
• Large Language Models (LLMs): Hala Point could contribute to the development of more powerful language models.
• AI Agents: It has the potential to improve AI agents' adaptability and efficiency.

Initially deployed at Sandia National Laboratories, Hala Point will support advanced brain-scale computing research. Scientists will focus on solving problems related to device physics, computer architecture, computer science, and informatics. In essence, Hala Point represents a critical step toward more sustainable and efficient AI technology.

This achievement by Intel underscores the importance of brain-inspired computing and its potential impact on the future of AI. With Hala Point, we're moving closer to unlocking new frontiers in artificial intelligence.

"The computing cost of today’s AI models is rising at unsustainable rates. The industry needs fundamentally new approaches capable of scaling. For that reason, we developed Hala Point, which combines deep learning efficiency with novel brain-inspired learning and optimization capabilities. We hope that research with Hala Point will advance the efficiency and adaptability of large-scale AI technology," Mike Davies, director of the Neuromorphic Computing Lab at Intel Labs.

Conventional Al systems, including those based on deep learning, rely on silicon-based computer architectures (such as CPUs and GPUs). These architectures were originally designed for general-purpose computing and do not directly mimic the brain's structure.

Neuromorphic computing, on the other hand, emulates the human brain's mechanisms within its architecture. It takes inspiration from the brain's neural networks, neurons, and synapses. The goal is to create hardware that operates more like the brain, enabling efficient and brain-inspired computation

In A Bundle of Assistive Tech Features, Apple Devices To Speak Your Voice After 10-Minutes of Training

Apple has announced that by the end of the year, users of iPhones and iPads will be able to hear their devices speaking in their own voice as part of a collection of new bundle of software features for cognitive, speech, vision, and mobility accessibility, the tech giant provided a preview of 'Personal Voice' on May 16th. This upcoming feature will display random text prompts to generate 15 minutes audio and capture user's voice.

Furthermore, Apple's 'Live Speech' tool will allow users to save commonly used phrases, which can then be spoken by the device on their behalf during phone calls, FaceTime conversations, and in-person interactions.

In a press release, Apple previewed software features for cognitive, vision, hearing, and mobility accessibility, along with innovative tools for individuals who are nonspeaking or at risk of losing their ability to speak.

For people with cognitive disabilities, Apple's "Assistive Access" uses innovations in design to distill apps and experiences to their essential features in order to lighten cognitive load.

For users at risk of losing their ability to speak — such as those with a recent diagnosis of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or other conditions that can progressively impact speaking ability — Personal Voice is a simple and secure way to create a voice that sounds like them.

Users can create a Personal Voice by reading along with a randomised set of text prompts to record 15 minutes of audio on iPhone or iPad. This speech accessibility feature uses on-device Machine Learning to keep users’ information private and secure, and integrates seamlessly with Live Speech so users can speak with their Personal Voice when connecting with loved ones.

Personal Voice allows users at risk of losing their ability to speak to create a voice that sounds like them, and integrates seamlessly with Live Speech so users can speak with their Personal Voice when connecting with loved ones. 

Personal Voice can be created using iPhone, iPad, and Mac with Apple silicon, and will be available in English.

In addition, Apple highlighted a number of other features coming to the Mac as well, including a way for deaf or hard-of-hearing users to pair Made for iPhone hearing devices with a Mac. The company is also adding an easier way to adjust the size of the text in Finder, Messages, Mail, Calendar, and Notes on Mac.

For users who are blind or have low vision, Apple is introducing "Detection Mode in Magnifier", which offers Point and Speak, which identifies text users point toward and reads it out loud to help them interact with physical objects such as household appliances.

Point and Speak in Magnifier makes it easier for users with vision disabilities to interact with physical objects that have several text labels. For example, while using a household appliance — such as a microwave — Point and Speak combines input from the camera, the LiDAR Scanner, and on-device machine learning to announce the text on each button as users move their finger across the keypad. Point and Speak is built into the Magnifier app on iPhone and iPad.

Point and Speak will be available on iPhone and iPad devices with the LiDAR Scanner in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Cantonese, Korean, Japanese, and Ukrainian.

DST Sanctions Rs 100 Cr. For Cognitive Computing and Social Sensing Hub at IIIT-Delhi, Mukesh Malhotra Joins as CEO

iHUB Anubhuti at IIIT-Delhi has been funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, to the tune of about INR 100 crore for a period of 5 years. Formed under Section 8, the company has been created under National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) of the GOI.

"The National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) being implemented by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) is creating a seamless ecosystem for CPS technologies including basic and applied knowledge generation, human resources, technologies, startups and industry connect. iHUB Anubhuti at IIIT-Delhi will build a strong tripartite collaboration between industries, academia and government agencies and become both an aggregator as well as a custodian of the roadmap in its areas of Cognitive Computing & Social Sensing." Said Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST).

TiH has been set up to create a collaboration between industries, academic institutions and government agencies to innovate and develop data-driven cognitive computing solutions. It aims to provide these solutions to four main sectors viz. health, law enforcement & security, education and environmental sustainability.

"IIIT-Delhi has always believed in creating and nurturing the spirit of innovation among its faculty and students, and playing a leadership role in the region. The Institute has set up iHub Anubhuti, a Technology Innovation Hub (TiH), under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems supported by DST. The TiH intends to establish itself as a hub of research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the area of Cognitive Computing and Social Sensing and also build a nationwide shared facility for public research and commercialization.”, said Prof. Ranjan Bose, Director IIIT-Delhi and Principal Investigator at iHub Anubhuti-IIITD Foundation.

The hub will also nurture start-ups that were born out of TIH projects for furthering their entrepreneurial efforts. These entrepreneurial initiatives will be driven through the advancement of research and development. With focuses approach on driving research and innovation, the project aims to encourage entrepreneurship and in turn yield results on a national scale.

Prof. Pushpendra Singh, Professor at IIIT-Delhi and Project Director at iHub Anubhuti-IIITD Foundation said, “The iHub Anubhuti-IIITD Foundation will undertake fundamental research. The emphasis would be to conduct translational research and develop products to solve socially relevant and globally challenging problems. The TiH will work with industry and other educational institutions to come with unique solutions for problems in the area of 'Cognitive Computing and Social Sensing”

TIH will be spearheaded by CEO Mr. Mukesh Malhotra who brings with him a rich experience of over 2 decades spanning various functions such as Finance, Corporate Strategy, P&L Management, Marketing, M&A and Commercials. He has been instrumental in starting various businesses from scratch and scaling them up in various multinationals and Indian companies.

“Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) holds great potential to solve the issues associated with the onset of Industry 4.0 as it presents a myriad of technological alternatives and advancements to drive innovation. Our framework will enable tech-savvy entrepreneurs to build synergies and deploy their skills in the creation of disruptive solutions to modern problems. Such partnerships will also open up entrepreneurial opportunities to monetize such technologies and create revenue flows for the TIH,” says CEO, Mr Mukesh Malhotra.

TIH, in alignment with its vision and mission, will direct all efforts towards garnering new knowledge, conceptualising revolutionary solutions, developing a skilled talent pool and amalgamating them to create an ecosystem that promotes entrepreneurship in the field of CPS.