Three dimensional INtegrated PhotonIcS to RevolutionizE deep Learning

This project aims to develop advanced photonic neural network processors to significantly enhance computational efficiency and scalability, revolutionizing AI hardware and applications.

Subsidie
€ 1.998.918
2022

Projectdetails

Introduction

Neural networks revolutionize computation and already outperform humans according to many benchmarks. They have the potential to transform society and have already influenced Google to place artificial intelligence at the core (“AI first”) of business strategy. Governments and policy bodies worldwide focus on neural network-based computing as a vital future technology.

Current Challenges

Despite the evident promise, however, current architectures severely lose computational efficiency when applied to large neural networks and scale badly. The performance of current neural network hardware is orders of magnitude below what is theoretically possible, and the future development of artificial intelligence is therefore in jeopardy.

Proposed Solution

I will solve this problem by developing neural network processors using advanced photonic components, specifically enabling a breakthrough with three-dimensional integrated photonic waveguides to implement a biologically inspired, fully parallel and scalable architecture. This is not an incremental improvement, but rather a completely new and never-explored approach, which will revolutionize neural network hardware.

Implementation Plan

Based on this technology, I will create a fully programmable optical tensor processing unit by interfacing 3D waveguide Mach-Zehnder interferometers with a commercial SLM. The unit will calculate the connection of a neural network with speeds and energy efficiency exceeding the state of the art by two orders of magnitude, while programmability makes it widely applicable.

  1. Create a fully programmable optical tensor processing unit.
  2. Interface 3D waveguide Mach-Zehnder interferometers with a commercial SLM.
  3. Develop a second system implementing fully-fledged and programmable optical neural networks based on 3D waveguides and semiconductor lasers.

Conclusion

The proof of principle building blocks of the project are in place and I am recognized as a leading researcher in the field. The realization of this project will unlock doors to scalability, cascadability, and parallelism, and stimulate new research as well as applications in artificial intelligence.

Financiële details & Tijdlijn

Financiële details

Subsidiebedrag€ 1.998.918
Totale projectbegroting€ 1.998.918

Tijdlijn

Startdatum1-12-2022
Einddatum30-11-2027
Subsidiejaar2022

Partners & Locaties

Projectpartners

  • CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRSpenvoerder
  • UNIVERSITE DE FRANCHE-COMTE

Land(en)

France

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