Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have designed a computer chip that mimics the information flow in the human brain.
Like the human brain, the chip adapts to and responds to new information. The process is called plasticity and is believed to be an underlying factor in brain functions such as learning and memory.
Chi-Sang Poon, a principal research scientist in the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology and the senior author of a paper describing the technology says he hopes the chip will help neuroscientists gain a greater understanding of the brain and its functions.
"Even on high-capacity computer systems, it takes hours or days to simulate a simple brain circuit. With the analog chip system, the simulation is even faster than the biological system itself," reveals MIT.
Researchers propose that the chips could be used in neural prosthetic devices such as artificial retinas, as chips that can interface with biological systems or as building blocks for artificial intelligence devices in the future.
MIT researchers are not alone in their quest to develop brain-like computer chips. In August IBM revealed it was working on a new class of brain-emulating computer chip (in addition to its AI Watson computer) that could replicate the "brain’s abilities for perception, action and cognition."
A paper describing the MIT-developed chip appeared in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences the week of November 14.
Chi-Sang Poon, a principal research scientist in the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology and the senior author of a paper describing the technology says he hopes the chip will help neuroscientists gain a greater understanding of the brain and its functions.
"Even on high-capacity computer systems, it takes hours or days to simulate a simple brain circuit. With the analog chip system, the simulation is even faster than the biological system itself," reveals MIT.
Researchers propose that the chips could be used in neural prosthetic devices such as artificial retinas, as chips that can interface with biological systems or as building blocks for artificial intelligence devices in the future.
MIT researchers are not alone in their quest to develop brain-like computer chips. In August IBM revealed it was working on a new class of brain-emulating computer chip (in addition to its AI Watson computer) that could replicate the "brain’s abilities for perception, action and cognition."
A paper describing the MIT-developed chip appeared in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences the week of November 14.
