Autonomous NAnotech GRAph Memory (ANAGRAM)

人工智能（AI）正在改变我们的社会，但它的扩散越多，客户对功能和效率的要求就越高（尤其是能源）。因此，随着时间的推移，基于统计学习的人工智能的局限性，到目前为止，大多数人工智能工作的基础，开始自然地变得更加暴露。诸如变量绑定和操作、归纳推理和一次性学习等任务，统计学习并不那么强大，这些任务在抽象符号处理AI领域提出了解决方案。通常提到的能够利用这种漏洞的“下一波人工智能”（朝向“强人工智能”）可能会广泛使用符号处理能力，同时需要一套定制的硬件解决方案。本项目主要研究开发用于精确符号化AI的通用（平台级）硬件。本项目旨在开发一种内存模块，其特点是：a）内部结构和B）内存计算能力，使其特别适用于基于符号处理的人工智能（AI）系统。最终，该项目旨在提供：1）两个微芯片迭代原型存储系统。2)一个软件环境（基础设施），用于轻松编程和操作最终的微芯片（包括用于概念验证测试的模拟功能）。3)一个演示的内存单元一起操作的符号处理器作为一个聚合系统。4)一组功能齐全的入门级应用程序，展示了设计的功能。整体工作是由一种理念驱动的，即在基本设备组件、符号AI机制和硬件设计方面的整个三个方面共同优化内存。具体而言：a）设计基于电阻式RAM（ReRAM）的存储器单元，其中ReRAM设备的操作和ReRAM技术规范本身服从于存储器系统的特定操作目标。B）调整系统的数学机制，以便将功能操作映射到硬件友好的机器代码级操作：重点是硬件友好，而不是数学优雅。这将与内存指令集的设计密不可分。c）设计一种架构，通过使用最大化局部性的存储器分配技术和广泛使用功率门控来有效地运行符号存储器。同时，坚实的软件堆栈基础设施的实施将实现高效快速的原型设计和假设测试。目标项目影响的基石是为启动符号AI硬件的工业规模设计工作奠定基础。因此，大部分工作都在芯片设计（基于原型的想法风险降低）和工具链开发（通过降低用户接受障碍来加速影响）。同时，预计该项目将在提高对符号级人工智能的兴趣方面发挥重要作用，并且非常重要的是，引起人们对将符号人工智能与统计学习联系起来的兴趣;从而对知识产生重大影响。最后，人工智能能力的提高，以及符号方法提供的决策透明度（通常可以通过正式表达式甚至伪自然语言表达），有望对提高社会对人工智能的接受程度产生重大影响，为认证过程提供坚实的科学基础（人工智能信任-扩大接受人工智能解决方案的应用范围）。该项目是一个自成一体的项目，旨在发起一项更广泛的、可持续的努力，由该领域的PI领导。

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming our societies, but the more it proliferates, the higher the customer demands for functionality and efficiency (most notably energy). Thus, as time progresses the limitations of statistical learning-based AI that has underpinned most AI work so far are beginning to naturally become more exposed. Tasks such as variable binding and manipulation, inductive reasoning and 1-shot learning, at which statistical learning is not as strong, suggest solutions in the sphere of abstract symbol processing AI. The commonly referenced 'next wave of AI' that is capable of such exploits (towards "strong AI") is likely to make extensive use of symbol processing capabilities and simultaneously demand a bespoke set of hardware solutions. The proposed project primarily addresses the issue of developing general-purpose (platform-level) hardware for precisely symbolic AI.The proposed project seeks to develop a memory module that features: a) an internal structure and b) in-memory computing capabilities that render it particularly suitable for symbolic processing-based artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Ultimately the project seeks to deliver: 1) Two microchip iterations prototyping the memory system. 2) A software environment (infrastructure) for easy programming and operation of the resulting microchips (includes simulation capabilities for proof-of-concept tests). 3) A demonstration of the memory cell operating together with a symbolic processor as an aggregate system. 4) A functioning set of starter applications illustrating the capabilities of the design.The overall effort is driven by a philosophy of co-optimising the memory across the entire trio of fundamental device components, symbolic AI mechanics and hardware design facets. Specifically: functionality in the proposed memory system will be pursued by: a) Designing a resistive RAM-based (ReRAM) memory unit where operation of the ReRAM devices and ReRAM tech specifications themselves are subservient to the specific operational goals of the memory system. b) Adapting the mathematical machinery of the system in order to map functional operations to hardware-friendly machine-code level operations: the stress is on hardware-friendliness, not mathematical elegance. This will be inextricably linked to the design of the memory's instruction set. c) Designing an architecture that runs the symbolic memory efficiently by using memory allocation techniques that maximise locality and making extensive use of power-gating. Simultaneously, implementation of a solid software stack infrastructure will enable efficient and fast prototyping and hypothesis testing.The cornerstone of the targeted project impact is to lay the foundations for launching an industrial-scale design effort towards hardware for symbolic AI. Hence the bulk of the effort is in chip design (prototype-based de-risking of the idea) and toolchain development (impact acceleration by lowering barriers to user uptake). Simultaneously, it is expected that the project will play a significant role in enhancing interest in symbol-level AI and very crucially, inducing interest in connecting symbolic AI with statistical learning one; thereby significant impact on knowledge is achieved. Finally, the increased in the capabilities of AI, as well as the transparency of decision-making (typically readily expressible via formal expressions or even in pseudo-natural language) offered by the symbolic approach promise to make a significant impact in enhancing acceptance of AI by society, providing a solid scientific foundation for certification processes (AI trust - broadening the scope of applications that accept an AI solution). With hardware available for this task, significant impact on productivity and quality of life is to be achieved.The project is self-contained and is designed to launch a much broader, sustainable effort, headed by the PI in this field.