Hey everyone and welcome back.
This time we're diving into photonic chips,
specifically this new Tai Chi chip
that's making some pretty big claims.
Yeah, this chip is really making waves.
I bet.
So to start off, can you give us a quick rundown
on what exactly a photonic chip is?
Like I said that it uses light,
but how does that actually work?
So it all boils down to photons.
Photons.
Yeah.
You see, light is made up of these tiny little packets
of energy called photons.
And unlike the electrons that regular chips use
photonic chips, use these photons to transmit
and process information.
Huh, so instead of electrical signals,
it's like light signals sipping around.
Exactly.
And because photons travel at the speed of light,
well that means computations can happen incredibly fast.
Okay, wait, hold on.
At the speed of light, like no lag time whatsoever.
Pretty much.
It's mind bogglingly faster than traditional electronics.
I can only imagine.
But how did we even get to this point?
Like where did this whole photonic computing thing
even begin?
It's a fascinating journey that starts with the invention
of the laser back in the 1960s.
Ah, the laser.
That seems like ages ago.
It was a game changer.
Lasers gave us this ability to create
a really focused, intense beam of light.
And that was crucial for controlling photons,
which is kind of essential
if you want to use them for computation.
So the laser was like the first step towards
harnessing the power of light for computing.
Precisely.
Then came optical fibers.
Right, those things that carry data
as light pulses over long distances.
Exactly, that was another huge breakthrough.
Suddenly we could transmit information
at the speed of light over vast distances.
So we have lasers to create light and fiber optics
to transmit it.
What was the missing piece of the puzzle?
Merging that speed with the manufacturing
capabilities of electronics.
Enter silicon photonics.
Silicon photonics.
So that's like using silicon,
which is the backbone of electronics
to manipulate light instead.
You got it.
It was a brilliant fusion of technologies.
But of course it wasn't without its challenges.
Yeah, I was about to ask,
didn't previous photonic ships have some limitations?
They did.
And that's where this new Taiji chip
comes in with a really innovative approach.
It all comes down to how it manipulates light
using two key concepts, interference and diffraction.
Okay, interference, I remember that
from our deep dove on waves.
It's like how waves can either amplify
or cancel each other out, right?
Right, and photonic chips use this phenomenon
to create logic gates,
which are like the fundamental building blocks of computation.
So they're kind of like the transistors
in electronic chips.
Exactly, and they work by manipulating the intensity
of light to perform logical operations.
Interesting, so playing with the brightness of light
is like flipping those ones and those.
You got it.
Now diffraction is a bit different.
Imagine shining a flashlight through a narrow slit.
I think I've done that before.
Instead of a sharp line of light,
you see a wire more diffused pattern.
That's because the light bends and spreads out
as it passes to the opening, it diffracts.
Okay, I can picture that.
So how does diffraction play into computation?
Well, you can encode data into the properties of light
and then pass it through layers
that diffract the light in specific ways.
Each layer acts like a mini pre-program circuit,
performing a specific operation based on how it diffracts
the light.
So it's kind of like a mini circuit board,
hardwired for a certain function.
Exactly, but the problem was these diffractive operations
were fixed, they couldn't be easily reconfigured,
and that lack of flexibility was a major hurdle
for photonic chips.
Okay, I see where you're going with this.
So this is where the Tai Chi chip comes in
and shakes things up.
You got it.
The Tai Chi chip cleverly combines both diffraction
and interference to create a system
that is both fast and flexible.
Wait, so it uses both.
How does that even work?
Picture this, first data is encoded
as specific optical patterns using diffraction.
Then these patterns enter a device called
a Mach-Sender interferometer,
which uses interference to manipulate the light beams.
This interferometer performs complex calculations.
Finally, the output is decoded
using another diffraction layer.
Wow, so it's like a carefully choreographed dance of light
with diffraction setting the stage
and interference making the magic happen.
That's a great way to put it.
And because photonic computing can perform
many operations simultaneously,
it blows traditional computing out of the water
in terms of speed.
So instead of processing things one step at a time,
it's like a whole orchestra playing in harmony.
Precisely.
But speed isn't the only advantage.
The Tai Chi chip also boasts some impressive stats
when it comes to complexity and accuracy.
Okay, I'm all yours, tell me more.
This chip can handle a mind-blowing 14 million parameters.
14 million, whoa.
But what does that even mean handling parameters?
Good question.
Parameters are essentially the variables
that control the complexity of an AI model.
So the more parameters,
the more sophisticated the AI can be.
And 14 million is a huge leap forward
for photonic computing.
Okay, so more parameters, more brain power got it.
But how does it actually perform?
Like can it compete with traditional chips
in terms of getting things right?
Absolutely, in tests, it achieved 92% accuracy
on image classification tasks.
92%, that's amazing.
Especially for analog computing,
which I always thought was less precise than digital.
That's a big deal, and it doesn't stop there.
It's also incredibly energy efficient.
We're talking over 1,000 times more efficient
than even the most advanced GPUs out there.
Hold on, so it's faster, more accurate,
and uses way less energy?
That's incredible.
Does this mean we'll be seeing photonic chips
in our phones and laptops anytime soon?
Well, not so fast.
There's still some challenges to overcome.
For one, the current system still relies on external lasers,
which makes the whole setup quite bulky.
Ah, so miniaturization is the next hurdle.
Exactly.
And right now, this chip is mainly designed
for what we call insurance,
that is using existing AI models
to process information, not training new ones.
So it's more about applying what it knows
than learning new things.
That's a good way to put it.
But even with those limitations,
this chip is a major breakthrough.
It offers a glimpse into a future
where photonics could revolutionize computing,
particularly in AI.
This is seriously mind blowing stuff.
We've covered so much already,
from the basics of light,
to the inner workings of this incredible chip.
I think we need to take a break here,
let all this information sink in.
You know, it's really amazing when you think about it.
It's not just about speed or efficiency with this chip.
It's about doing things we couldn't even dream of
with normal electronics.
Ooh, that sounds intriguing.
Like what kind of things are we talking about?
Imagine a world where your devices
are processing information at the speed of light.
You could analyze huge amounts of data in real time.
Stuff like medical imaging or financial markets.
It'd be incredible.
I see what you mean.
It's not just about making our phones a little bit faster.
It's like opening up a whole new world of possibilities
and tons of fields.
Exactly.
And the Tai Chi chip is a big step
towards making that a reality.
One thing the research really highlighted
was its potential for generative AI.
Generative AI, oh yeah, that's the stuff
that can create art and music and even write stories, right?
Everyone's talking about it these days.
That's right.
And the researchers actually showed
that the chip can do that.
They used it to generate music in the style of Bach.
Wait, a photonic chip composing music?
That's wild.
Did they actually release any of the music it created?
I'd love to hear that.
Well, the paper didn't include any audio samples,
unfortunately, but they did say that the chip managed
to capture some of the key elements of Bach's style.
Still, that's pretty amazing.
And it wasn't just the music, right?
I think I read something about it creating artwork too.
Yep, they used the Tai Chi chip to generate
landscape images as well.
They even managed to mimic the styles of Van Gogh and Munch.
So this chip is channeling the artistic spirit
of the great masters.
That's kind of freaky, but also really cool.
It definitely raises some interesting questions.
But putting that aside for now,
the practical applications are huge.
Imagine what this could mean for artists,
designers, musicians.
They could work with AI in ways
we've never even thought of before.
Yeah, I can see a whole new world
of creative possibilities opening up.
But what about applications beyond art?
Where else could this generative AI stuff
make a real difference?
Think about fields like drug discovery or material science.
Imagine using AI to come up with new medications
or materials that are lighter and stronger
than anything we have now.
Now, that would be a total game changer.
Having AI design life-saving treatments
or revolutionize entire industries with new materials,
that's amazing.
And don't forget with the energy savings,
this chip is over 1,000 times more energy efficient
than current GPUs.
So it could have a huge impact on reducing carbon emissions
and fighting climate change.
Right, so it's faster, more powerful,
and better for the environment.
It's like a win-win-win situation.
But you mentioned earlier that there are still
some limitations, right?
What are the main things holding this technology back
from going mainstream?
Mainitization is still a big challenge.
Like we talked about, the current system is pretty bulky
because it needs those external lasers.
And right now, it's mostly focused on inference
using existing AI models instead of training new ones.
So it's really good at using what it knows,
but not so good at learning new things yet.
Yeah, that's a good way to put it.
But even with those limitations,
this is still a huge accomplishment.
It gives us a glimpse of a future
where photonics could completely change
the world of computing.
It's amazing to see how far we've come
and to think about all the potential that's still out there.
What are some of the other areas
where you think photonic computing
could have a big impact in the future?
One area that's particularly exciting is quantum computing.
Like I mentioned briefly earlier,
photonics could potentially make quantum computing possible
at room temperature, which would be revolutionary.
Quantum computing, that always sounded like something
straight out of Star Trek to me.
But if photonics can make it more practical and accessible,
that would be mind-blowing.
Think about it, we could solve problems
that are currently impossible
even for the most powerful supercomputers.
Stuff like drug discovery materials,
science, even breaking encryption codes.
Whoa, this is getting pretty intense.
It's definitely making me think about the future
in a whole new way.
And remember, this is just the beginning.
We're still in the early stages
of exploring the full potential of photonic computing.
Who knows what incredible breakthroughs
are just around the corner?
I can't want to see what the future holds.
But for now, I think we need to take another break
and let all of this sink in.
We'll be back soon with the final part
of our deep dive, Sid Dago-Go, anywhere.
Welcome back, everyone.
I gotta say, I'm still kind of reeling
from all this talk about photonic computing.
It's amazing to think that we might be on the edge
of like a whole new era of computing.
Yeah, it really is an exciting time.
And the thing is, we've only just begun to explore
what's possible with this technology.
Right, but before we get too caught up
in all the cool stuff, it's probably a good idea
to step back and think about the bigger picture.
Like what does all of this mean for us?
What are the implications of a technology
this powerful for society as a whole?
That's such an important question.
I mean, like any transformative technology
for tonic computing comes with potential benefits
and potential challenges.
Right, it's not all sunshiny rainbows.
What are some of the potential risks or downsides
that we should be thinking about?
Well, one thing that comes up a lot is the impact on jobs.
You know, as AI gets more and more sophisticated
and starts being used in more industries,
there's a concern that it could lead to job displacement.
That's a legitimate concern.
It's happened before with new technologies, right?
Some jobs change, some disappear.
But how do we make sure that the benefits
of this technology are spread evenly
and that everyone benefits, not just a select few?
It's all about being proactive and thinking ahead.
We need to focus on things like education
and retraining programs to help people get ready
for the jobs of the future.
We also need to create policies
that make sure the transition is fair and equitable
so everyone has a chance to benefit.
I agree, it's not about stopping progress.
It's about making sure that progress works for everyone.
Are there any other potential downsides
that we should be keeping an eye on?
Access to the technology is another big one.
We have to be careful about the digital divide
and make sure that photonic computing
doesn't make existing inequalities worse.
You know, if this technology is only available
to certain groups or regions,
it could create even bigger gaps
in opportunity and resources.
Yeah, that makes sense.
We need to make sure that this technology is developed
and used in a way that's inclusive
and benefits all of humanity.
So how do we actually do that?
What steps can we take to make sure
that photonic computing is used responsibly and ethically?
It's made take a team effort.
We need policymakers, researchers, industry leaders,
and even everyday people to have open and honest conversations
about the potential impacts of this technology.
It's about coming up with guidelines and regulations
that prioritize things like ethical considerations,
sustainability, and equal access.
I like that, a shared vision for the future.
It's not about one group telling everyone else
how this technology should be used.
It's about working together to create a plan
for responsible innovation.
Exactly, and it's not just about rules either.
It's about creating a culture of responsibility
within the tech industry.
We need to encourage critical thinking,
ethical decision making, and a commitment
to using technology for good.
Well said, it sounds like there's a lot to think about,
but also a lot of potential for positive change.
It's kind of both exciting and a little scary,
don't you think?
I agree, it's both a challenge
and an incredible opportunity.
We're at a really important point
in the evolution of computing
and the choices we make now
will have a huge impact on the future.
But I'm optimistic.
I believe that if we approach this technology
with wisdom and foresight and a real commitment
to the common good, we can harness its power
to create a better world.
I'm with you on that.
Well, on that note, I think it's time to wrap up
our deep dive into the world of photonic computing.
We've learned about the basics of light,
the amazing advancements of the Tai Chi chip,
and the broader impact this technology
could have on society.
It's been quite a journey.
It has, and for our listeners out there,
I wanna leave you with this thought.
As photonic computing continues to evolve,
it's going to affect every aspect of our lives
in ways we can barely imagine.
So stay curious, stay informed,
and stay involved in the conversation
about how we shape the future of technology.
Remember, the future isn't something
that just happens to us, it's something we build together.
That's a perfect way to put it.
Thanks for joining us, and until next time,
keep exploring, keep asking questions,
and keep diving deep.