Brain-inspired computing: We need a master plan

TL;DR

This paper advocates for a comprehensive, coordinated effort to develop brain-inspired computing technologies, emphasizing the need for a strategic plan to unify research communities and secure necessary support.

Contribution

It highlights the importance of a master plan to advance brain-inspired computing, drawing parallels with past successes in digital and quantum technologies.

Findings

Brain-inspired computing offers energy-efficient data processing.

A coordinated plan is essential for progress in this field.

Cross-disciplinary collaboration is crucial for success.

Abstract

New computing technologies inspired by the brain promise fundamentally different ways to process information with extreme energy efficiency and the ability to handle the avalanche of unstructured and noisy data that we are generating at an ever-increasing rate. To realise this promise requires a brave and coordinated plan to bring together disparate research communities and to provide them with the funding, focus and support needed. We have done this in the past with digital technologies; we are in the process of doing it with quantum technologies; can we now do it for brain-inspired computing?