Could this microchip cluster power the next AI breakthrough?

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View this email in your browser  |   Manage newsletter subscriptions By Jennifer Conrad | 08.26.21 Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here. Happy Thursday! Today we're looking at massive microchip clusters that could enable the next advances in AI. Plus, can robots be designed to develop consciousness on their own? And actress Bella Thorne is not a fan of some of the latest beauty gadgets.     A New Chip Cluster Will Make Massive AI Models Possible "When it comes to the neural networks that power today's artificial intelligence, sometimes the bigger they are, the smarter they are too," writes Will Knight. Cerebras Systems, which already built the world's largest computer chip, developed technology that lets a cluster of those chips run artificial intelligence models that are more than a hundred times bigger than the largest ones around today. The most expansive AI models have neural networks with about a trillion connections, the mathematical simulations of the interplay between biological neurons and synapses. Cerebras says it can now run a neural network with 120 trillion connections. To create the chip cluster, Cerebras developed a novel water system to keep the giant chip chilled and engineered an off-chip memory box to get data in and out efficiently. The startup plans to target the market for natural-language-processing AI algorithms, which are becoming more and more capable of understanding and simulating natural speech. Cerebras' chip clusters could also facilitate supersized machine learning models for robotics and computer vision. Read more about Cerebras' innovations.     Deep(er) Learning WIRED has covered microchip shortages, technical breakthroughs, and companies' efforts to build their own chips. The Chip Shortage Is Driving Up Tech Prices—Starting With TVs In May, Knight reported that the prices of some high-end TVs were up 30 percent compared to the previous summer. Apple Starts Leaving Intel Macs Behind in MacOS Monterey In June, Boone Ashworth wrote about Apple's first computers featuring the company's M1 chips. This Chip for AI Works Using Light, Not Electrons And in March, Knight got a look at a fundamentally different kind of computer chip—one that uses light to perform key calculations.     Need to Know   Can robots evolve into machines of loving grace? Perhaps, if we put them together the right way. This week in things to be scared of: Some systems delivering medication through IVs could, theoretically, be hacked to dangerously increase doses. California governor Gavin Newsom faces a recall vote in a September special election. Here's how Silicon Valley firms are voting with their donations. GM recalled every Chevy Bolt ever made over battery flaws linked to fires. OnlyFans reversed its porn ban—but creators of sexually explicit content are still worried about their futures on the site.       So, This Happened Volunteers, including many veterans, are rallying online to help Afghans leave the country safely. The effort, which is being called "Digital Dunkirk," includes arranging private flights and helping people navigate around Taliban checkpoints. (Foreign Policy, The Wall Street Journal/paywall, NBC News) As Elizabeth Holmes goes on trial for criminal fraud, female entrepreneurs reflect on frequently being compared to the disgraced Theranos founder. (The New York Times) Dollar-backed cryptocurrencies, known as stablecoins, are taking off in parts of Africa. They're touted as a way to hedge against inflation and do business internationally, but also come with risks. (Rest of World) When influencers find their Instagram accounts suspended, some turn to shady brokers to restore access. (BuzzFeed News)     Until Next Time   "I already hate this." Bella Thorne doesn't hold back when reviewing beauty gadgets.     Essential Reads Hackers Could Increase Medication Doses Through Infusion Pump Flaws Gavin Newsom's Recall Election Divides Silicon Valley's Elite GM Recalls Every Chevy Bolt Ever Made Over Faulty Batteries The OnlyFans Porn Ban Reversal Does Not Reassure Performers GET WIRED Stare the future right in the eye. Get 1 year of unlimited access to WIRED for less than $1 per month. That includes Steven Levy's exclusive newsletter and a free tote! Subscribe now.             This e-mail was sent to you by WIRED. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, wired@newsletters.wired.com, to your address book.   View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe or manage your newsletter subscriptions   Copyright © Condé Nast 2021. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.