Why in the News?
Recently Google introduced its seventh-generation TPU (Tensor Processing Unit), named Ironwood.
About Ironwood
- Ironwood is Google’s seventh-generation Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), designed to accelerate AI model training and inference with improved performance and efficiency.
- It builds on previous TPUs, enhancing speed and efficiency for AI workloads.
- It has been optimized for complex AI tasks, especially those requiring high-speed data processing for neural networks and deep learning models.
- Initially used internally, Ironwood is now available via Google Cloud Platform, allowing businesses to harness its power without investing in dedicated hardware.
What is a TPU?
- A TPU is a specialized processor developed by Google to accelerate machine learning tasks, particularly those involving TensorFlow.
- TPUs are optimized for tensor operations, crucial for training deep learning models, enabling faster data processing and high efficiency.
How is TPU Different from GPU and CPU?
| CPU | GPU | TPU | |
| What is it? | Central Processing Unit – General-purpose processor for various computing tasks. | Graphics Processing Unit – Specialized for parallel processing, initially for graphics rendering. | Tensor Processing Unit – Specialized processor designed by Google for accelerating machine learning tasks, particularly for AI and deep learning. |
| Specialization | General-purpose tasks (sequential processing) | Parallel processing (graphics, machine learning) | Specialized for AI tasks (tensor computations) |
| Performance | Slower for AI tasks due to sequential processing | Faster than CPU for parallel tasks | Fastest for AI tasks like matrix multiplication |
| Efficiency | Versatile but less efficient for AI operations | Energy-efficient for parallel tasks | Highly energy-efficient for machine learning |
| Best for | Running applications, managing systems | Graphics rendering, machine learning | Deep learning, neural network training |
| [UPSC 2020] With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following?
(1) Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units (2) Create meaningful short stories and songs (3) Disease diagnosis (4) Text-to-Speech Conversion (5) Wireless transmission of electrical energy Select the correct answer using the code given below: Options: (a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2, 4 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 |
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