Microsoft's Analog Optical Computer: Faster, More Energy-Efficient Computing

Microsoft has developed a novel Analog Optical Computer (AOC) that leverages photons for computation, demonstrating significant potential in solving optimization problems and running AI models. The AOC achieved breakthroughs in medical image reconstruction and financial transaction settlement, such as reducing MRI scan times to one-fifth and efficiently processing complex financial transactions. Microsoft is publicly sharing its AOC's algorithm and digital twin model to foster further research, aiming to build a more efficient and energy-saving computing platform for the future.