Bypassing the GPU Blockade: China's Taichi II Microchip is Coming
From Taichi to Taichi II in just 4 months: China shows breakneck pace in optical AI chip development.
The US government has been tightening the export control of high-performance GPU as well as placing sanctions on Chinese tech firms, in an effort to slow down China’s progress in AI. However, these flawed and porous measures are doomed to fail.
Scientists from China’s Tsinghua University have developed a revolutionary new method for training optical neural networks, potentially paving the way for faster and more energy-efficient artificial intelligence systems that don’t rely on GPUs at all. The research, published in Nature on recently, introduces a technique called "fully forward mode" (FFM) learning, which allows for on-site training of optical systems without the need for complex computer simulations.
Optical computing, which uses light instead of electricity to process information, has long been touted as a promising alternative to traditional electronic computers. Much like how fiber optic cables can transmit data faster than copper wires, optical computers have the potential to p…
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