How Edge AI Processors are Tackling the Current Issues of Computing

Since the last decade, it is becoming increasingly clear that Artificial Intelligence is going to be the central technology around which all other advanced technologies will revolve and co-exist. Artificial Intelligence, in simplest terms, refers to ‘smart’ machines or ‘intelligent’ systems which perform tasks that are usually associated with human intelligence and reasoning. Artificial Intelligence (AI), in order to maximize its utility, has been paired with robotics, machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), and many such technologies. Edge AI computing is one such example of integration of two technologies.

As said earlier, edge AI is the combination of two technologies, viz., Edge computing and Artificial Intelligence. Edge computing involves bringing computing operations like data collection, data analysis, and data processing to the ‘edge’ of the network. Here, ‘edge’ of the network implies closer to the devices that collect the data rather than storing the data on some cloud or far away data server. Thus, the data collected is stored locally on nearby devices and processed at the location of data collection itself. Developing deductive and predictive models that will help the edge computing system to perform these functions of collecting, analyzing, and processing data locally is, in fact, edge AI computing; and the processors which aid in edge AI computing are edge AI processors.

Advantages of Edge AI Processors

The integration of two of the most advanced technologies has produced some startling results. Due to the very nature of the processing methodologies, edge AI computing has certain inherent advantages. Some of these are given here:

1. Privacy:

Since edge AI computing involves collection of data and processing it locally without involvement of any cloud services, the risk of mishandling and misappropriation of data is minimized. Encrypted authentication and data integrated auditing are two of the most important aspects of edge AI computing which help in protecting the data from outside interference and external threats.

2. Energy Efficiency:

Collection, analysis, and processing of data at the local level invariably lowers the energy requirement of the system, and hence performs better even at low energy inputs. This, in turn, results in lowering of the overall costs associated with edge AI computing as compared to the costs that would be incurred after using cloud services.

3. Highly Responsive:

Since no cloud services are involved, problems associated with latency do not arise. As a result, edge AI processors are able to compute data pretty quickly. Apart from this, the data and insights involved in such computing become easier to manage.

Applications of Edge AI Processors

The critical advantages of edge AI processors have increased the range of their applicability extensively. As a result, the global edge AI processor market is witnessing a massive surge and is expected to continue on this growth trajectory in the 2022-2030 timeframe with a stunning CAGR of 16.0%. Some of the applications of edge AI computing is given below:

1. Autonomous Vehicles:

The advent of electric vehicles and Internet of Things has triggered the phenomenon of self-driving cars or autonomous vehicles. Edge AI computing plays an extremely important role in making autonomous vehicles a reality as quick data collection and processing is required in the form of recognizing vehicles, differentiating pedestrians from other objects, identifying traffic signals, etc.

2. Industrial IoT:

Many of the industries, now-a-days, have started introducing automation and robotics in manufacturing, so as to simplify the processes involved. One way to smoothly introduce and integrate existing systems with robotics is through edge AI processors and Internet of Things. Both these technologies, by providing seamless data integration, help in deploying AI capabilities in an efficient manner and that too at a very low cost.

3. Speech Recognition:

The speech recognition facility provided by almost all smartphones, laptops, tablets, or smart speakers is on the account of the edge AI processors embedded in them. Not just speech recognition, edge AI computing helps in the working of ‘smart’ apps like health monitoring apps, mobile camera apps, etc.

The Bottom Line

With the advent of neural networks and 5G technology, edge AI technology is becoming much more popular than what it is today. Growing adoption and proliferation of IoT devices is further expected to increase the demand for edge AI computing. The integration of various advanced technologies has opened avenues for research that were not accessible before. With edge AI computing, the possibilities are endless.

About the Author(s)

Princy A. J

Princy holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. University at Chennai, India. After a successful academic record, she pursued her passion for writing. A thorough professional and enthusiastic writer, she enjoys writing on various categories and advancements in the global industries. She plays an instrumental role in writing about current updates, news, blogs, and trends.