Chinese researchers have unveiled 'Darwin Monkey,' a brain-like computer designed to emulate the neural architecture of a macaque monkey's brain. Developed by Zhejiang University's National Key Laboratory of Brain Intelligence, the system comprises 960 Darwin 3 chips, collectively supporting over 2 billion pulsed neurons and 100 billion synapses. This configuration enables the computer to process information in a manner similar to biological brains, surpassing traditional computing capabilities.
'Darwin Monkey' is capable of simulating animal brains, including those of C. elegans, zebrafish, mice, and macaques, offering researchers valuable opportunities to study neurological processes and potentially develop treatments for neurological disorders. The system's applications extend to logical reasoning, content generation, and mathematical problem-solving, showcasing its versatility. Additionally, 'Darwin Monkey' operates with energy efficiency, consuming approximately 2,000 watts of power, aligning with broader trends in the tech industry to reduce power consumption.
This advancement represents a significant step toward understanding the complexities of the human brain and could revolutionize fields like artificial intelligence and neuroscience, fostering a deeper understanding of consciousness and cognition.