Graphic of half a computer chip with an orange and yellow gradient making up the other halfGraphic of half a computer chip

Opportunity space

Nature Computes Better

Nature Computes Better

We can redefine the way computers process information by exploiting principles found ubiquitously in nature. By better understanding how the natural world around us performs computation, we'll build dramatically more efficient computers.

What if we could exploit principles found in natural systems to build dramatically more efficient computers?

Defined by our Programme Directors, opportunity spaces are areas we believe are likely to yield breakthroughs.

In Nature Computes Better, we are examining whether the natural world presents us with an opportunity to redefine the way computers process information. 

Beliefs

The core beliefs that underpin this opportunity space:

1

The growth of AI exacerbates an already unsustainable demand for compute → we need alternative scaling pathways. 

2

Natural systems are orders of magnitude more efficient than silicon microprocessors at a wide range of computational tasks → a stronger understanding of how living systems compute is needed to advance both engineering biology and the creation of new hardware. 

3

Investigating the role of statistical physics and nonlinear dynamics in novel hardware represents a significantly underexplored opportunity → exploiting these approaches is likely to yield new modalities for AI processing. 

4

Modern AI has massive and broad applicability but is underpinned by a narrow set of mathematical kernels → this presents a unique opportunity for the development of next-generation computing paradigms. 

Observations

Some signposts as to why we see this area as important, underserved, and ripe.

Image of ARIA's observations in the Nature Computes Better opportunity space. Tab or scroll down to view the accessible version.

 

Download as a PDF here, or the accessible version here. 

Suraj Bramhavar writing on a whiteboard

Programme: Scaling Compute

To build a programme within an opportunity space, our Programme Directors direct the review, selection, and funding of a portfolio of projects.

Backed by £100m, Scaling Compute unites expertise across three critical technology domains (AI systems design, mixed-signal CMOS circuits, and advanced networking) looking to redefine our current compute paradigm.

As part of the programme we have committed £50m to the creation of the Scaling Inference Lab – an open AI testbed prioritising rapid iteration, open collaboration, and long-term sustainability.

Explore the programme