Intel made a groundbreaking discovery in 1989 with the release of the 80170, the world’s fastest and most powerful neural network chip. This analog computer had the processing power of a cockroach and left Intel confused on what to do with it. Neural networks like the 80170 are trained, not programmed, to discover patterns and make predictions. Despite the skepticism and humor surrounding the technology, there’s something big beneath the surface. The 80170 was a significant advancement in the field and paved the way for future neural network chips. John C. Dvorak, a columnist turned podcast host, reported on this groundbreaking development.
https://thechipletter.substack.com/p/john-c-dvorak-on-intels-first-neural