Week 2 - Computer Hardware Technology

Computer hardware technology has always followed a simple trend of shrinking in size and growing in processing capacity. Just look at the technological progression of cell phones, which were once the size and weight of bricks and can now fit comfortably on the palm of anyone’s hand. The amount of memory and data modern smartphones are capable of processing would have been labeled as impossible 30 years ago. 10 to 20 years from now, we will undoubtedly see new forms of computer hardware emerge and influence various industries.

An article released a month ago talks about a new kind of computer chip, scheduled to be released in 2014, which will change the way computers process information. This neural chip is based on the biological nervous system, how neurons react to stimuli and connect with other neurons to share and interpret information. This is different from modern computing in that computers nowadays are programmed with all the information they need to function, like a recipe. The neural chip allows computers to function on new tasks beyond what they were initially programmed to do as well as other functions which normally would take painstakingly long hours of programming to achieve. This chip design is different than the typical design of computers which were heavily influenced by the ideas of John von Neumann, where microprocessors perform operation in binary code and store information in the processor or in higher storage chips or disk drives. The data are moved from in and out of the processors short term memory while the computer carries out a programmed action. The result is then moved to the main memory. This new processor has connections which mimic the biological synapses, the connections between circuits are organized according to correlations in the data that the processor has already learned. New information changes the network in the processor, programming the next actions of the computer similar to how new information impacts our decisions.

A new generation of artificial intelligence systems may be possible with this chip, as these systems will be able to perform various tasks with ease such as: speech, listen, navigate, see, and manipulate or control objects. Facial and speech recognition will be impacted by such a change, as now a computer system will be able to learn how we look and sound after a few meetings. Imagine that instead of unlocking the door to your house with your key, you could also unlock the door by simply walking up and saying anything (with a little help from biometric sensors and scanners, of course). While these visual or audio locks may already exist, their implementation is limited to certain phrases or functions and even cost.

Another angle to consider this development: we all had to learn how to walk. Sure, our leg muscles weren’t developed enough until we were around 1 year old but we still had to learn how to balance ourselves before we could walk with confidence. Computers with neural chips installed will be able to learn from trial and error on their own, not only to walk if they are a robot but to recognize people, cats, dogs, the habits of ordinary people or even a burglar.

Resource:

Markoff, John. "Brainlike Computers, Learning From Experience." New York Times 28 Dec 2013, n. pag. Web. 13 Jan. 2014. <http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/29/science/brainlike-computers-learning-from-experience.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=1&>.