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China unveils ‘mini fridge’ AI server that uses 90% less power than other systems

Brain-like intelligent computer is quiet and runs on a household socket, making it suitable for homes, offices and mobile environments

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The BI Explorer computing system runs on an independently developed intuitive neural network, which closely mimics the brain’s computational mechanisms. Photo: Handout
Victoria Bela
Chinese scientists have unveiled what they say is the world’s first brain-like intelligent computer the size of a mini fridge, which has the capabilities of a room-sized supercomputer while using 90 per cent less power.

The BI Explorer computing system, or BIE-1, was revealed by members of the Guangdong Institute of Intelligence Science and Technology (GDIIST) at a forum held in the Guangdong-Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone in southern China on Friday.

The device packs the capabilities of a supercomputer – including training and inference speeds that rival traditional computing clusters – into a refrigerator-sized unit with the help of an intuitive neural network and brain-like artificial intelligence algorithm.
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“It can be easily deployed in homes, small offices and even mobile environments,” the institute said on its website on Friday.

“It has low power consumption and low noise, and can be called a miniaturised supercomputer, making high-end intelligent computing capabilities within reach.”

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The device was jointly launched by Zhuhai Hengqin Neogenint Technology and Suiren (Zhuhai) Medical Technology, two companies incubated by GDIIST.

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