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IBM reports cognitive computing advances

PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 18 (UPI) -- IBM has taken a big step forward in the development of a computer that works like a human brain, officials told a supercomputing conference in Oregon Wednesday.

Big Blue broke the news in Portland at the SC 09 supercomputing conference, telling the assembled scientists and engineers the company had achieved "significant advances" in algorithms and large-scale cortical simulation, which are milestones in the quest for a so-called cognitive computing chip.

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The breakthrough came with the first near real-time simulation of the human brain and its approximately 1 billion spiking neurons, which was performed by scientists from IBM and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

IBM said in a written statement that the ultimate goal would be computers that pack the brain's powers of reasoning, action and perception with its compact size and low power requirements.

The eventual result, which is a long way off, could be computers that are far superior to current machines in the analysis of complex and fast-moving financial markets, weather patterns and environmental changes, IBM project manager Dharmendra Modha told the San Jose Mercury News.

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