SeoulTech Scientist Creates Artificial Synapses Mimicking Human Brain Function for Next-Gen AI Chips

Dr. Eunho Lee, an Assistant Professor at Seoul National University of Science and Technology, has developed artificial synapses that mimic human brain function for next-gen AI chips. His research improves ion uptake in electrolyte-based organic transistors, making them more efficient and paving the way for ultra-low-power co-processors in wearables, cameras, and IoT nodes. The materials also support bioelectronic interfaces for closed-loop therapies, electrochemical biosensors, and environmental monitors.

Microsoft has announced the launch of two new in-house artificial intelligence models, MAI-1-preview and MAI-Voice-1, marking a strategic shift away from reliance on external partners like OpenAI. This move signifies a significant investment in proprietary technology, as reported by Reuters [1]. The company's stock has responded positively, climbing nearly 9% this quarter, indicating investor confidence in Microsoft's AI capabilities.

MAI-Voice-1, a powerful text-to-speech model, can generate a full minute of natural speech in under a second, operating efficiently on a single GPU. This model powers features like Copilot Daily and Copilot Podcasts and is accessible through Copilot Labs. Users have noted its expressive and empathetic tones, a marked improvement over older, more robotic synthetic voices.

MAI-1-preview, Microsoft's first self-trained foundation model, is now available for public testing on platforms like LMArena. Built using approximately 15,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs, it employs a mixture-of-experts architecture for efficiency.

This launch is part of Microsoft's broader strategy to control its core AI technology entirely. AI chief Mustafa Suleyman has emphasized the need for in-house capability to ensure long-term cost efficiency and reduce external dependencies. Microsoft's focus on training models smarter, not just larger, optimizes computational resources and data usage, representing a nuanced shift in AI development.

Analysts are closely watching the market reaction. The development of independent, top-tier AI models could solidify Microsoft's market leadership. The company is positioning itself to lead, not follow, in the AI race.

References:
[1] https://inews.zoombangla.com/microsofts-new-voice-ai-rivals-openai-with-mai-1-independence/