SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Intel Corp (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:INTC) today announced the deployment of Hala Point, the world's largest neuromorphic computing system, at Sandia National Laboratories. The system, which uses Intel's Loihi 2 processors, represents a significant step toward more efficient and scalable artificial intelligence (AI), surpassing the capabilities of its predecessor, Pohoiki Springs.
Hala Point boasts over 1.15 billion neurons and is designed to address the growing computational demands and sustainability concerns of current AI models. Its architecture achieves more than 10 times the neuron capacity of its predecessor and up to 12 times higher performance.
The system is capable of executing up to 20 quadrillion operations per second (20 petaops) and demonstrates unprecedented efficiency, exceeding 15 trillion 8-bit operations per second per watt (TOPS/W) for conventional deep neural networks.
These performance metrics rival those of GPU and CPU architectures, positioning Hala Point as a potential game-changer for AI applications requiring real-time continuous learning, such as scientific problem-solving and smart city infrastructure management.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories will utilize Hala Point for advanced computing research, aiming to tackle complex scientific and computational modeling problems. Craig Vineyard, the team lead at Sandia, emphasized the system's potential to keep pace with the rapid evolution of AI across various sectors.
Intel's neuromorphic computing approach draws inspiration from neuroscience, integrating memory and computing with highly granular parallelism to reduce data movement. The Loihi 2 processors at the core of Hala Point apply principles like asynchronous, event-based spiking neural networks and integrated memory and computing to achieve substantial gains in energy consumption and performance.
The system's compact design houses 1,152 Loihi 2 processors and supports a neuron capacity comparable to that of an owl brain. It operates with a maximum power consumption of 2,600 watts and includes embedded x86 processors for additional computations.
Hala Point marks the first deployment in a new series of large-scale neuromorphic research systems that Intel plans to offer to its research collaborators. The company envisions this technology paving the way for AI applications to overcome the power and latency constraints that currently limit their deployment in real-world, real-time scenarios.
This announcement is based on a press release statement.
InvestingPro Insights
As Intel Corp (NASDAQ: INTC) makes strides in neuromorphic computing with the deployment of Hala Point, it's worthwhile for investors to consider the financial health and market position of the company. According to the latest data from InvestingPro, Intel's market capitalization stands at a robust $151.08 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the technology sector. Despite facing challenges in revenue growth, with a -14.0% change in the last twelve months as of Q1 2023, the company has managed to maintain a positive gross profit margin of 40.04%. This indicates Intel's ability to retain profitability in its core operations amidst fluctuating sales figures.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Intel is expected to see net income growth this year, a promising sign for investors looking for long-term value. Moreover, Intel's status as a prominent player in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry is reinforced by its sustained dividend payments over 33 consecutive years, showcasing a strong commitment to shareholder returns. Analysts predict the company will remain profitable this year, which could be a key factor for investors considering Intel's stock.
However, the company is currently trading at a high earnings multiple, with a P/E ratio of 88.29 and an adjusted P/E ratio of 94.74 for the last twelve months as of Q1 2023. This suggests that the stock may be priced at a premium compared to its earnings, which is an important consideration for value-focused investors. For those interested in exploring further insights and tips, InvestingPro offers additional analysis, including 6 more InvestingPro Tips for Intel, which can be found at https://www.investing.com/pro/INTC. Utilize coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription, enriching your investment strategy with in-depth data and expert analysis.
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