Researchers have achieved a breakthrough in the development of artificial intelligence by using light instead of electricity to perform computations.

The new approach significantly improves both the speed and efficiency of machine learning neural networks – a form of AI that aims to replicate the functions performed by a human brain in order to teach itself a task without supervision.

Current processors used for machine learning are limited in performing complex operations by the power required to process the data. The more intelligent the task, the more complex the data, and therefore the greater the power demands.

Such networks are also limited by the slow transmission of electronic data between the processor and the memory.

Researchers from George Washington University in the US discovered that using photons within neural network (tensor) processing units (TPUs) could overcome these limitations and create more powerful and power-efficient AI.

A paper describing the research, published today in the scientific journal Applied Physics Reviews, reveals that their photon-based TPU was able to perform between 2-3 orders of magnitude higher than an electric TPU.

“We found that integrated photonic platforms that integrate efficient optical memory can obtain the same operations as a tensor processing unit, but they consume a fraction of the power and have higher throughput,” said Mario Miscuglio, one of the paper’s authors.

“When opportunely trained, [the platforms] can be used for performing interference at the speed of light.”

Potential commercial applications for the innovative processor include 5G and 6G networks, as well as data centres tasked with performing vast amounts of data processing.

Dr Miscuglio said: "Photonic specialised processors can save a tremendous amount of energy, improve response time and reduce data centre traffic."

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