AI is one of the biggest and fastest growth markets in today’s global economy, and its estimated value is currently between $3.5 to $5.8 trillion. It is for the countries that can capitalize and direct the development of AI technology to realize a large economic value, thus placing AI as a major growth enabler for the next several decades. For India, pushing forward Artificial Intelligence is also crucial to achieving the dream of making it a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) by 2047. With targeted investment and indeed innovation out in the industry park, India is in a good place to take great leaps in the field of AI, especially in neuromorphic computing, which is the breakthrough area of technology that holds the key to the AI of the future.
The untapped opportunities are immense, but so are the problems. Nevertheless, there is evidence of growth, though it is pulling back by demanding massive energy even to achieve these considerable advancements. Recent calculations show that if current hardware constraints are maintained, AI will need more energy by 2035 than is currently being produced worldwide. This has been a very urgent necessity, which has increased the need for new and more efficient hardware to support AI development.
The issue is that the basic design of computers called the von Neumann architecture, dates back 60 years. This makes it less practical for AI applications that need up to billions of calculations in a second, where computation and memory are separate. This traditional design currently impedes the performance of AI systems, consumes a lot of energy, processes data slowly, and is highly detrimental to the environment.
India and global tech leaders are exploring neuromorphic computing as a transformative solution to these challenges. Inspired by the human brain’s structure, Neuromorphic computing combines storage and processing capabilities to mimic neural networks, allowing for faster, more energy-efficient computation. The human brain, weighing just under two kilograms and operating on approximately 20 watts of energy, performs billions of operations per second, making it a natural inspiration for sustainable, high-performance AI systems.
Pioneered by American engineer Carver Mead in the 1980s, neuromorphic computing initially faced challenges. In the 2010s, companies like Intel and IBM attempted to replicate the brain’s functions using binary transistors and software. However, a purely binary approach fell short, lacking brain-like systems' seamless, adaptive processing characteristics.
India’s scientific community is making notable strides in neuromorphic computing through government initiatives, academic partnerships, and private-sector investment. Government programs such as the National AI Strategy encourage AI and neuromorphic computing research, promoting collaboration between institutions and industries to address real-world challenges. Additionally, India’s academic institutions, like IITs and IISc, are pushing the boundaries of neuromorphic research, creating new approaches that could reshape AI’s computational framework.
India’s ambition to lead the AI and neuromorphic computing revolution is grounded in its vast talent pool and increasing technological capabilities. By positioning itself at the forefront of brain-inspired computing, India is not only preparing to capture a significant portion of the AI market but also addressing the global need for sustainable technology solutions. The next phase of AI’s evolution, powered by neuromorphic computing, could see India emerge as a global leader, aligning with its vision of a developed and self-reliant nation by 2047.
India’s journey in neuromorphic computing represents not just a technological milestone but a vision of sustainable, forward-thinking progress that could redefine AI’s future worldwide.