Abstract
This article discusses the recent development in “cognitive computing” technology. Unlike expert systems of the past, which required inflexible hard-coded expert rules, cognitive computers interpret unstructured data (sensory information, images, voices, and numbers), navigate through vast amounts of information, learn by experience, and participate in dialogues with humans using natural language to solve extremely complex problems. The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is funding a program called SyNAPSE (Systems of Neuromorphic Adaptive Plastic Scalable Electronics) to develop machine technology that will function like biological neural systems. IBM, Hughes Research Labs, and several universities are working on this program. The aim is to build an electronic system that matches a mammalian brain in function, size, and power consumption. It would recreate 10 billion neurons and 100 trillion synapses, consume one kilowatt (same as a small electric heater), and measure less than 2,000 cubic centimeters. Several other projects are also under way to apply cognitive technology to robotics, cars, and production systems.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
