Deep Learning through Photonics

Artist's concept: Programmable nanophotonic processors integrated on a printed circuit board, carrying out deep learning computing. Computer systems based on artificial neural networks mimic the way the brain learns, accumulating by example. It's currently used for face- and voice-recognition software. The potential exists to use it for searching through vast amounts of medical data to find patterns useful to diagnosis, or scan chemical formulas to help develop new pharmaceuticals. But the computations required are highly complex and demanding.