Researchers at Western Sydney University in Australia are constructing the world’s first supercomputer capable of simulating network connections on a scale equivalent to the human brain. This supercomputer, named DeepSouth, is expected to go online next year.
The team named the supercomputer DeepSouth based on IBM’s TrueNorth system, which started the idea of building computers that act like large networks of neurons, and Deep Blue, the first computer to beat a world chess champion. The name also gives a nod to where the supercomputer is located geographically: Australia, which is situated in the southern hemisphere.
DeepSouth operates on a foundation of neuromorphic computing, mimicking the structure and function of the brain. In stark contrast to traditional supercomputers that rely on sequential processing, DeepSouth leverages a network of artificial neurons capable of transmitting signals akin to biological neurons. This allows DeepSouth to perform an estimated 228 trillion synaptic operations per second, mirroring the processing power of the human brain.
This speed is achieved through the use of custom-designed neuromorphic chips that utilize a technology called spiking neural networks. In these networks, information is encoded as electrical spikes transmitted between artificial neurons, mimicking the communication processes within the brain.
Objectives of the DeepSouth
DeepSouth’s design approach is unique. It attempts to emulate the brain’s ability to learn, adapt, and process information in a highly parallel and distributed manner. This is a departure from traditional computing architectures, which are typically based on the von Neumann architecture.
One of the primary objectives of the DeepSouth project is to understand how the human brain, using just 20 watts of power, can process massive amounts of information. This understanding could lead to the development of more energy-efficient computing systems.
“Progress in our understanding of how brains compute using neurons is hampered by our inability to simulate brain-like networks at scale,” said André van Schaik, director of the International Center for Neuromorphic Systems at Western Sydney University. He added that simulating neural network spikes on standard computers using graphics processing units and central processing units is very slow and energy-intensive. DeepSouth aims to change this scenario.
Ralph Etienne-Cummings of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, who was not involved in the work, told New Scientist that DeepSouth will be a key milestone in the study of neuroscience. “If you’re trying to understand the brain, this will be the hardware to do this,” he said.
Future of the Deepsouth Computer
DeepSouth is part of a broader scientific endeavor to create machines that can rival the human brain. Other researchers are exploring the possibility of creating “biological computers” powered by real brain cells. These efforts collectively represent a significant leap forward in our understanding of the brain and the development of advanced computing systems.
The human brain is estimated to have 86 billion neurons connected by trillions of synapses. While DeepSouth boasts an impressive processing power, it currently operates at a smaller scale. Scientists acknowledge the need for further advancements to fully replicate the brain’s intricate structure.
According to the research team, the DeepSouth Computer employs a novel architecture that optimizes data flow and reduces bottlenecks commonly associated with traditional supercomputing systems. This design enables the machine to execute complex simulations and data analyses at speeds previously unattainable, while maintaining a smaller carbon footprint.
Critically, the DeepSouth Computer project has prioritized accessibility, with plans to collaborate with institutions that traditionally lack the resources to utilize such advanced computing power. This democratization of technology is expected to spur innovation across various disciplines, allowing for a more inclusive approach to research and development.
