Computing grandee IBM has introduced its first full system-on-chip (SoC) designed to coach and run deep studying fashions faster than general-purpose CPUs: the IBM Synthetic Intelligence Unit (AIU).
“We’re operating out of computing energy. AI fashions are rising exponentially, however the {hardware} to coach these behemoths and run them on servers within the cloud or on edge gadgets like smartphones and sensors hasn’t superior as rapidly,” claims IBM of the necessity for its new half. “That is why the IBM Analysis AI {Hardware} Heart determined to create a specialised pc chip for AI. We’re calling it an Synthetic Intelligence Unit, or AIU.”
IBM is getting ready to launch a high-performance deep studying accelerator it calls the Synthetic Intelligence Unit (AIU). (📷: IBM)
The IBM AUI is constructed across the idea of “approximate computing,” which drops from 32-bit floating-point to decrease precision codecs with a purpose to cut back the computational grunt and quantity of shuffling of knowledge between processor and reminiscence required to coach and run a given mannequin — with out, the corporate claims, sacrificing accuracy.
“It’s designed for deep studying and may be programmed to run any kind of deep studying activity, whether or not that’s processing spoken language or phrases and pictures on a display,” IBM claims of the AIU. “Our full system-on-chip options 32 processing cores and accommodates 23 billion transistors — roughly the identical quantity packed into our z16 chip. The IBM AIU can be designed to be as easy-to-use as a graphics card. It may be plugged into any pc or server with a PCIe slot.”ed to rival designs.
The SoC’s 32 cores are based mostly on an accelerator constructed into the corporate’s earlier Telum CPU. (📷: IBM)
“It’s designed for deep studying and may be programmed to run any kind of deep studying activity, whether or not that’s processing spoken language or phrases and pictures on a display,” IBM claims of the AIU. “Our full system-on-chip options 32 processing cores and accommodates 23 billion transistors — roughly the identical quantity packed into our z16 chip. The IBM AIU can be designed to be as easy-to-use as a graphics card. It may be plugged into any pc or server with a PCIe slot.”
Whereas IBM is keen to indicate the half off, although, it is remaining comparatively fairly about actual specs, efficiency features, and — much more importantly — the worth, stating solely that it “hope[s] to quickly share information about its launch.”
