• Scientists from the U.S. have developed microchips smaller than a dime that can hold artificial intelligence (AI) programs.
• The company behind this innovation, Aizip, predicts these chips could be used in everyday items such as shoes and microwaves.
• Unlike large AI models which require massive data centers, these tiny AI tools can collect, store, and analyze data physically fitting on any item.
Artificial Intelligence company Aizip is pushing the boundaries of innovation by creating a small AI system that can be incorporated into a variety of everyday items. As explained by co-founder, Yubei Chen, AI in your shoes could understand your weight gain over the Christmas season and adjust its cushion accordingly. Similarly, AI in your microwave can communicate interactively in natural language.
The appeal of these small, specialised AI systems extends beyond household appliances. They can be deployed in places such as manufacturing equipment and clothing. These tiny AI tools have the potential to bring intelligence into daily life, making it safer and more informed, says Yan Sun, CEO of Aizip.
Some examples of this applied intelligence include smart refrigerators that can identify the nutritional content of their stored items, ovens that adjust cooking parameters based on food type and coffee machines that customize orders using face recognition.
A significant benefit of these AI models, apart from their tiny size, is their ability to collect, store and analyze data. This has led to the creation of pervasive AI where AI’s machine learning capabilities could fit on the items utilizing the technology.
Aizip’s co-founders revealed that they have developed more than several hundreds of models including those that monitor pipeline data to prevent leaks or integrity issues, identifying human voices among ambient noise, and analyzing satellite and ground-based sensor data to track wild animals. Ultimately, the company aims to manufacture these AI systems at a cost of a few cents.
Aizip continues to build models that streamline efficiency and reduce human intervention, ultimately democratizing the models, according to CEO Yan Sun. This, they believe, is a significant step forward in integrating AI into everyday life.