IBM Research’s lab in California has developed the NorthPole chip, which could accelerate the realization of AI on the edge. The chip, with 256 cores and its own memory, eliminates the need for off-chip memory, making it faster and more energy-efficient. IBM’s initial results indicate that NorthPole outperforms other chips in terms of power usage, size, and speed. As chip manufacturing technology improves, the potential for high-density and efficient AI processing opens up various applications, from autonomous vehicles to handheld devices.
IBM NorthPole Chip: Faster Low Energy AI Processing
IBM Research’s lab in Almaden, California has developed a prototype chip called NorthPole that could bring AI on the edge closer to reality. Traditional AI models require significant processing power and energy, but IBM’s NorthPole chip aims to push the limits of current technologies.
Moore’s Law, which states that the number of transistors in integrated circuits doubles every year, has seen a slowdown in recent times. The laws of Thermodynamics also set a limit on how many transistors can be fitted into a square nanometer. However, it is the typical layout of chips, known as the “von Neumann bottleneck,” that hampers performance and efficiency.
The NorthPole chip consists of 256 computing units, or cores, each with its own memory. This design eliminates the need for off-chip memory and allows for faster and more energy-efficient processing.
IBM’s chief scientist for brain-inspired computing, Dharmendra Modha, explains that the cores are connected in a way inspired by the white-matter connections in the human brain’s cerebral cortex.
According to test results shared by IBM, the NorthPole chip achieves significantly higher energy efficiency, smaller size, and faster performance compared to other chips. It uses 12 nm technology, but when reproduced at the current state-of-the-art 3 nm level, it will offer even greater processing density and efficiencies.
These advancements in processing power and energy efficiency make AI on the edge applications, such as autonomous vehicles and handheld devices, more feasible without relying on cloud computing.
Practical AI Solutions for Your Company
If you want to evolve your company with AI and stay competitive, consider leveraging IBM’s NorthPole chip for faster and more energy-efficient AI processing. Here are some practical steps to get started:
- Identify Automation Opportunities: Locate key customer interaction points that can benefit from AI.
- Define KPIs: Ensure your AI endeavors have measurable impacts on business outcomes.
- Select an AI Solution: Choose tools that align with your needs and provide customization.
- Implement Gradually: Start with a pilot, gather data, and expand AI usage judiciously.
For AI KPI management advice and continuous insights into leveraging AI, connect with us at hello@itinai.com. Stay tuned on our Telegram channel t.me/itinainews or follow us on Twitter @itinaicom.
Spotlight on a Practical AI Solution: AI Sales Bot
Consider using the AI Sales Bot from itinai.com/aisalesbot to automate customer engagement 24/7 and manage interactions across all customer journey stages. Discover how AI can redefine your sales processes and customer engagement by exploring solutions at itinai.com.
