Scientists from several Japanese universities have built a new kind of computer component for artificial intelligence (AI). This device uses the way tiny particles move to process information more efficiently. This is important because modern AI usually requires a huge amount of electricity and computing power to work. The new device is specifically designed for "edge AI," which refers to artificial intelligence programs that run directly on small gadgets like smartphones or sensors rather than on giant, distant computer servers.
The device, described in a paper published in ACS Nano, is a special type of hardware that can process complex information in a way that is inspired by biology. To make this work, the researchers used ions. They combined graphene with a substance called an ion gel. Graphene is an extremely thin layer of carbon that allows electricity to flow through it very easily. When information is sent into this mixture, the ions and electrons move around at many different speeds.
Efficient processing through ion movement
These complex interactions allow the device to react to information in many different ways at once. Because the device handles information physically through these moving particles, it reduces the computational load. The researchers found that their new chip could reduce this load to just one-hundredth of the amount required by standard AI software.
Even though it uses much less power, the device is still able to perform difficult tasks just as well as traditional AI. This is a significant step forward because it addresses the problem of high power consumption caused by modern technology. By making AI more efficient, it becomes easier to put smart features into everyday objects.
The researchers involved in this project hope to eventually use this technology to create ultra-low-power devices. These future gadgets will be able to perform high-level information processing without needing to be connected to a large power source. This would allow for smarter technology in remote areas or in portable tools that need to last a long time on a single battery. The researchers are persuaded that this new technology offers a more sustainable path for the future of AI.