世界上最小的类脑计算机

四川 蒋建平

世界上最小的类脑计算机问世了，它的能源消耗如此之小，以至于可以自己直接从周围环境中获取能量。

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Artificial intelligence (AI) has seen explosive growth in recent years, but despite major progress, the power required to run AI algorithms（算法）continues to increase.In contrast to this,the human brain only requires around 20W to perform more than 10 quadrillions (10,000,000,000,000,000) operations, which is much better than modern supercomputer technologies.

“That's why we're conducting intensive research into developing new hardware that mimics the structure of the human brain,which is known as brain-inspired（类脑的）computing (BIC). But even though we've managed to largely reduce the energy consumption of AI algorithms, there's still a long way to go before BIC is as efficient as the human brain when it comes to size and energy efficiency,”says Hooman Farkhani,an assistant professor at Aarhus University.

He has just received support from the Villum Experiment program for a new project looking into the development of a nano-sized BIC system.“If we succeed, we'll have the first BIC system that is no larger than a grain of dust and with energy consumption that is so small that energy can be harvested directly from the surrounding environment,”says Hooman Farkhani. The project goes by the name of Spin-Grain, and is one of 51 projects that have just received the support from the Villum Experiment program under the Villum Foundation. The program donates money to“bold research experiments”and pays tribute to Villum Kann Rasmussen, the founder of the Villum Foundation, and his tireless experimental approach to life.

The researchers behind the 51 experiments range from PhD students to professors and represent a wide range of different nationalities. In addition to Aarhus University, grants（补助金）have been awarded to other universities like the University of Copenhagen, the Technical University of Denmark and the IT University.

Reading Check

1.What is the problem of running AI algorithms?

A.The low speed of a computer.

B.The explosive growth of AI.

C.The increasing need of power.

D.The decreasing modern technology.

2.What does the underlined word“mimics”in paragraph 2 probably mean?

A.Uses. B.Copies.

C.Attracts. D.Presents.

3.What can we learn about BIC?

A.BIC is very promising.

B.BIC will consume no energy.

C.BIC has reached a satisfying level.

D.BIC is as big as a grain of dust now.

Language Study

Ⅰ.Difficult sentence in the text

That's why we're conducting intensive research into developing new hardware that mimics the structure of the human brain, which is known as brain-inspired computing(BIC).这就是为什么我们正在进行深入的研究，开发模仿人脑结构的新硬件，这被称为类脑计算（BIC）。

【点石成金】本句是一个主从复合句，句中的why we're conducting...是表语从句，that mimics the structure of the human brain 是限制性定语从句，关系代词that在从句中作主语，which is known as...是非限制性定语从句，关系代词which 代指新硬件模仿人脑结构这件事。

Ⅱ. Text-centered chunks

in contrast to 相比之下；与……形成对比

be known as 被称为；以……知名；被认为是

a long way to go 有很长的路要走

look into 调查；观察

donate sth to 捐某物给……

pay tribute to 称赞；歌颂

range from...to...范围从……到……

award sth to sb 授予某人某物