How light-based computers could cut AI’s energy needs
Jul 31, 2024
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Discover how light-based computers could revolutionize AI by significantly cutting energy needs. Researchers are replacing bulky lasers with efficient LEDs, paving the way for greener tech. Additionally, learn about the alarming spread of H5N1 bird flu in US cattle and the potential risks to human health. The podcast also touches on breakthroughs in plant genetics and how COVID-19 vaccine lessons could shape equitable healthcare responses in the future. Plus, dive into Mars discoveries hinting at ancient life and ocean mysteries relating to oxygen production.
Advancements in light-based computers using LEDs can significantly increase energy efficiency for AI applications, surpassing traditional electronic systems.
The emergence of H5N1 in cattle raises potential human health risks, necessitating increased surveillance and vaccination efforts to prevent outbreaks.
Deep dives
Advancements in Photonic Computing
Photonic computers are emerging as a promising alternative to traditional electronic computing, especially for artificial intelligence applications. They utilize light to perform calculations, which enables much higher computing bandwidth, allowing for data transmission rates that significantly surpass those of electronic systems. One of the key advantages is their enhanced energy efficiency, with light traveling through optical fibers without generating the heat typically associated with electronic computation. Recent research has demonstrated that using a less coherent light source, like a super luminescence LED, can improve the performance and controllability of these photonic processors.
The Impact of H5N1 on Cattle and Human Health
The spread of a highly pathogenic strain of H5N1 bird flu among cattle is raising significant concerns due to its potential implications for human health. Recent investigations revealed that the virus is likely transmitting between cows, with a notable presence found in milk, which poses unique challenges for containment. Researchers are particularly worried about the virus potentially evolving to infect mammals more effectively, thereby increasing the risk of human transmission. Although the current risk to humans remains low, increased surveillance and vaccination efforts are being implemented to mitigate the threat of a potential outbreak.
Oxygen Production in Ocean Depths
A fascinating discovery in deep-sea research reveals that oxygen is being produced at the ocean floor, puzzling scientists who previously believed this could only occur through photosynthesis. This oxygen production may be linked to polymetallic nodules on the sea bed, which act like batteries to split water and release oxygen. While this discovery opens up new avenues for understanding marine ecosystems, it also raises concerns regarding potential mining activities that could disrupt these fragile environments. Moreover, this finding could alter our understanding of how to detect signatures of life on other planets, challenging the assumption that oxygen presence always indicates biological activity.
Merging AI and Biological Understanding
Integrating artificial intelligence with biological studies is opening new frontiers in understanding complex diseases. Recent applications have showcased AI's ability to analyze data from patients with Parkinson's disease, identifying their symptoms with high accuracy using advanced photonic processing. This innovative approach has demonstrated the potential for AI to process large datasets efficiently, enhancing our understanding of biological systems and leading to better diagnostics. The convergence of technology and healthcare is anticipated to drive significant advancements in patient care and treatment methodologies.
00:45 Increasing the energy efficiency of light-based computers
Computer components based on specialised LEDs could reduce the energy consumption of power hungry AI systems, according to new research. AI chips with components that compute using light can run more efficiently than those using digital electronics, but these light-based systems typically use lasers that can be bulky and difficult to control. To overcome these obstacles, a team has developed a way to replace these lasers with LEDs, which are cheaper and more efficient to run. Although only a proof of concept, they demonstrate that their system can perform some tasks as well as laser-based computers.
13:02 What researchers know about H5N1 influenza in cows
The highly-pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 was first identified in US cattle in March 2024 and has been detected in multiple herds across the country. We round up what researchers currently know about this spread, what can be done to prevent it, and the risks this outbreak may pose to humans.
NASA’s Perseverance rover finds a Martian rock containing features associated with fossilized microbial life, and how metallic nodules on the ocean floor could be the source of mysterious ‘dark oxygen’