How light-based computers could cut AI’s energy needs
1Digest
The Nature Podcast begins by introducing Nature Plus, a subscription service offering access to scientific journals. The episode then delves into the potential of photonic computers, which use light for computation, to reduce the energy demands of AI models. Photonic computers offer advantages like faster data transmission and higher energy efficiency, making them particularly suited for certain AI algorithms. The podcast then presents research highlights, including a study on how roses produce citronella scent and another on the inflammatory effects of stroke on the heart. It then focuses on the concerning spread of H5N1 bird flu in cattle, discussing research findings on the virus's spread through milk and the possibility of airborne transmission. This raises concerns about increased human exposure and the potential for the virus to evolve to better infect mammals, including humans. The episode concludes with a discussion of two intriguing scientific discoveries: evidence of ancient life on Mars and the unexpected production of oxygen on the ocean floor. The hypothesis for the oxygen production suggests that polymetallic nodules, rich in metals, act like underwater batteries, splitting water and releasing oxygen. However, this is still a theory with many unanswered questions.
Outlines
Nature Podcast: Light-Based AI Computing, Bird Flu, and Ancient Life on Mars
This episode explores the potential of photonic computers for AI, discusses the spread of H5N1 bird flu in cattle, and highlights recent scientific discoveries about ancient life on Mars and oxygen production on the ocean floor.
Light-Based AI Computing
This chapter explores the potential of photonic computers, which use light for computation, to reduce the energy demands of AI models. It discusses the advantages of photonic computing, including faster data transmission and higher energy efficiency.
Bird Flu Spread in Cows and Oxygen Production on the Ocean Floor
This chapter focuses on the spread of H5N1 bird flu in cattle, a concerning development due to the potential for human transmission. It discusses research findings on the virus's spread through milk and the possibility of airborne transmission. It also explores the unexpected production of oxygen on the ocean floor, suggesting that polymetallic nodules act like underwater batteries, splitting water and releasing oxygen.
Keywords
Photonic Computers
Photonic computers utilize light for computation, offering potential advantages over traditional electronic computers, such as faster data transmission and higher energy efficiency.
AI Models
AI models are complex algorithms used in artificial intelligence applications. They require significant computing power, leading to concerns about energy consumption and environmental impact.
H5N1 Bird Flu
H5N1 bird flu is a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza virus that has been causing widespread avian deaths and has also been detected in mammals, raising concerns about potential human transmission.
Polymetallic Nodules
Polymetallic nodules are rock-like formations found on the ocean floor, rich in valuable metals like nickel, lithium, copper, and cobalt. They are being investigated as a potential source of these metals, but their role in oxygen production raises ecological concerns.
Ancient Life on Mars
Evidence of ancient life on Mars has been discovered, suggesting that the planet may have once been habitable. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the origins of life and the potential for life beyond Earth.
Q&A
What are the advantages of photonic computers over traditional electronic computers?
Photonic computers offer faster data transmission, higher energy efficiency, and are particularly suited for certain AI algorithms.
How is H5N1 bird flu spreading in cattle, and what are the concerns about this?
The virus is spreading through milk and potentially through airborne transmission. This raises concerns about increased human exposure and the possibility of the virus evolving to better infect mammals, including humans.
What is the hypothesis for the unexpected production of oxygen on the ocean floor?
The hypothesis suggests that polymetallic nodules, rich in metals, act like underwater batteries, splitting water and releasing oxygen. However, this is still a theory with many unanswered questions.
Show Notes
00:45 Increasing the energy efficiency of light-based computers
Computer components based on specialised LEDs could reduce the energy consumption of power hungry AI systems, according to new research. AI chips with components that compute using light can run more efficiently than those using digital electronics, but these light-based systems typically use lasers that can be bulky and difficult to control. To overcome these obstacles, a team has developed a way to replace these lasers with LEDs, which are cheaper and more efficient to run. Although only a proof of concept, they demonstrate that their system can perform some tasks as well as laser-based computers.
Research Article: Dong et al.
News and Views: Cheap light sources could make AI more energy efficient
10:36 Research Highlights
The genes that make roses smell so sweet, and how blocking inflammation could reduce heart injury after a stroke.
Research Highlight: How the rose got its iconic fragrance
Research Highlight: Strokes can damage the heart — but reining in the immune system might help
13:02 What researchers know about H5N1 influenza in cows
The highly-pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 was first identified in US cattle in March 2024 and has been detected in multiple herds across the country. We round up what researchers currently know about this spread, what can be done to prevent it, and the risks this outbreak may pose to humans.
Nature News: Can H5N1 spread through cow sneezes? Experiment offers clues
Nature News: Huge amounts of bird-flu virus found in raw milk of infected cows
Nature News: Could bird flu in cows lead to a human outbreak? Slow response worries scientists
Research article: Eisfeld et al.
22:38 Briefing Chat
NASA’s Perseverance rover finds a Martian rock containing features associated with fossilized microbial life, and how metallic nodules on the ocean floor could be the source of mysterious ‘dark oxygen’
Space.com: NASA's Perseverance Mars rover finds possible signs of ancient Red Planet life
Nature News: Mystery oxygen source discovered on the sea floor — bewildering scientists
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