AI Can Design Computer Chips Faster Than Human – Google

 Google researchers discovered that artificial intelligence (AI) could potentially design computer chips faster than human engineers.

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Google Research explained in a research paper published in Nature that designing a physical layout of a computer chip, known as floorplanning, is a complex and time-consuming task that is essential.

To help achieve a more efficient result, the researchers created a set of algorithms that treat chip floorplanning as a game, with components acting as pieces and the canvas on which the components sit acting as the board, and the winning results based on performance as measured by evaluation metrics based on 10,000 chip reference datasets.

The algorithms were able to develop chips that were comparable to or more efficient than those designed by humans, which typically take months, the researchers discovered.

“Our method generates manufacturable chip floorplans in less than 6 hours, compared to the strongest baseline, which requires months of intense effort by human experts,” the researchers explained.

The method not only saves time, but the researchers also stated that the quality of the work improved “because it is exposed to more instances of the chip placement problem.”

The method has already been adopted by Google, according to the researchers, who point out that it was used in the development of a recent-generation tensor processing unit.

Last year, Google revealed that it was experimenting with AI to design chips. At the time, Jeff Dean, Google’s head of AI research, told ZDNet that it could help cut costs and produce more efficient designs.

“We’re having our designers play around with it to see how they integrate it into their workflows,” he said.

Otherwise, Spanish researchers have discovered that Nintendo Wii Balance Board-based therapy could potentially improve children’s balance with cérébral paralysis.

Researchers from the University of Jaen, Spain, analyzed 11 trials with 270 cerebral children. In neurological conditions, children were studied for the effects of Nintendo Wii therapy (NWT) on functional, dynamical, and static equilibrium.

“Nintendo Wii treatment is one of the most commonly used non-immersive virtual reality systems for CP neurorehabilitation of children, requiring greater involvement and motion than other conventional video game systems.

“Wii Nintendo enables participants to use handled controllers or joysticks, with or without a power platform called the Wii Balance Board, to interact with a screen projected virtual environment.

“NWT is a cheap, accessible tool which combines a safe environment, such as the home, with physical, functional and cognitive functions and motivation and fun to increase active CP children’s involvement in the prescribed rehabilitation.

“What our results indicate is that Nintendo Wii therapy could be a useful tool that can be used to improve the balancing of children with brain paralysis in the neurorehabilitation physiotherapy protocols,” said Esteban Obrero-Gaitán.

“Nintendo Wii is considered a virtual reality-based rehabilitation that promotes children’s participation, motivation increase and adherence to therapy because of its playful nature. It is also a low-cost tool which can be used for therapeutic purposes at home.”

In Development Medicine and Child Neurology, the results of the analysis were reported.

Source: https://thedailydiscussions.com/blog/ai-can-design-computer-chips-faster-than-human-google/