Accelerating Artificial Intelligence with Light
July 9, 2020, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm (EDT)
Abstract
Lightmatter is combining electronics, photonics, and new algorithms to create a next-generation computing platform purpose-built for artificial intelligence (AI). At the core of Lightmatter’s technology is the use of silicon photonic devices that perform linear algebra calculations with light. Lightmatter recently secured a Series-A funding from Matrix Partners, Spark Capital, and GV (formerly Google Ventures). In this talk, Dr. Bunandar will present the insights that sparked their core technology, the evolution of their computing platform, and how this platform can accelerate AI.
Biography
Dr. Darius Bunandar is a Founder of Lightmatter, a startup developing the next-generation AI processor. As Chief Scientist at Lightmatter, Darius coordinates the company’s research and development in new hardware architectures as well as new algorithms. Before founding Lightmatter, Darius obtained his PhD in physics at MIT studying quantum computation and communications using compact nanophotonic circuits. His interest in computing began when he was simulating extreme physical phenomena using supercomputers. With the Caltech-Cornell Simulating-eXtreme-Spacetimes (SXS) collaboration, he developed software to visualize how binary black holes can distort the night sky by warping space-time with their gravitational pull. He previously earned his BS degrees in both Physics and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.