CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR UPSC IAS

Neural Processing Unit (NPU)

Published: 13th May, 2024

Context

Apple introduced the M4 chip with the iPad Pro, boasting significant improvements in performance, notably the inclusion of a 16-core Neural Engine, Apple's version of a Neural Processing Unit (NPU).

What is Neural Processing Unit?

An NPU is a specialized processor designed to accelerate neural network processes, which are the basis for AI-related tasks like speech recognition, natural language processing, and photo/video editing.
In consumer gadgets like smartphones and tablets, the NPU is integrated within the main processor, while in data centers, it might be a separate processor.
Different from CPU and GPU
Central processing unit (CPU) execute instructions sequentially, while NPUs employ parallel computing for simultaneous execution of multiple calculations, making them efficient for AI tasks.
Graphics processing unit (GPU) also have parallel computing capabilities but are mainly used for graphic rendering. NPUs are dedicated to AI tasks, making them more efficient and less power-consuming.