Artificial Neural Networks

AD

Are artificial neural networks emulated on a traditional computer, or do they have a processor of artificial neurons? That is, is a neural network a piece of software or hardware?

chroot

They can be either software or hardware. The artificial neural network is really nothing more than an algorithm. You could implement that algorithm in software on a general purpose processor like that found in a PC, or you could develop a specialized piece of hardware that performs the same operations without any software.

- Warren

AD

What's the trend in the current state of the art? Are neural networks common in hardware form?

chroot

They're not too common in hardware anymore. General purpose computers are fast enough these days that software is a better option.

- Warren

ramollari

What about the efficiency that characterizes the massively parallel structure of physical neural networks? Software will slow down as more knowledge is acquired.

chroot

Neural networks run the same speed no matter how much knowledge they "contain."

Some kinds of AI, like expert systems, CAN slow down as more rules are added, but neural networks do not suffer that problem.

- Warren