Do Neural Networks Operate as Software or Hardware?

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Artificial neural networks can be implemented as either software or hardware, functioning as algorithms that can run on general-purpose processors or specialized hardware. Currently, hardware implementations of neural networks are not common, as general-purpose computers are sufficiently fast, making software a more practical choice. Despite the efficiency of physical neural networks, which maintain consistent speed regardless of knowledge accumulation, software-based systems may slow down with increased complexity, particularly in AI types like expert systems. Neural networks, however, retain their performance regardless of the amount of information processed.
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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?
 
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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
 
What's the trend in the current state of the art? Are neural networks common in hardware form?
 
They're not too common in hardware anymore. General purpose computers are fast enough these days that software is a better option.

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

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