Stochastic Computing Systems

Abstract

The invention of the steam engine in the late eighteenth century made it possible to replace the muscle-power of men and animals by the motive power of machines. The invention of the stored-program digital computer during the second world war made it possible to replace the lower-level mental processes of man, such as arithmetic computation and information storage, by electronic data-processing in machines. We are now coming to the stage where it is reasonable to contemplate replacing some of the higher mental processes of man, such as the ability to recognize patterns and to learn, with similar capabilities in machines. However, we lack the “steam engine” or “digital computer” which will provide the necessary technology for learning and pattern recognition by machines.