Supercomputer that simulates entire human brain will switch on in 2024 in world first test that could create advanced AI

SCIENTISTS have created a supercomputer that's capable of similuating the function of the entire brain.

The device is the the first of its kind in the world and will be switched on next year.

It was announced by researchers at the International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems (ICNS) at Western Sydney University.

The machine is called DeepSouth and it mimics biological processes that naturally occur in our brains.

That includes how our synapses transfer information.

DeepSouth is said to be capable of 228 trillion synaptic behaviors per second.

That's around the estimated number of synaptic operations happening in our brains.

It's hoped the machine can help to unlock myseries about how the human brain works.

Experts think it could also play a role in creating adavnced AI technology.

The machines plan to mimic the brain could help researchers design more efficient AI models.

DeepSouth is also said to require less power than other supercomputers because it's design is based on neuron networks.

The ICNS director, Professor André van Schaik, said: "Progress in our understanding of how brains compute using neurons is hampered by our inability to simulate brain like networks at scale.

"Simulating spiking neural networks on standard computers using Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and multicore Central Processing Units (CPUs) is just too slow and power intensive. Our system will change that.

"This platform will progress our understanding of the brain and develop brain-scale computing applications in diverse fields including sensing, biomedical, robotics, space, and large-scale AI applications."

The device could also help researchers understand how healthy or diseased a human brain is.

DeepSouth will be located at Western Sydney University.

It's expected to become operational in April next year.