# Fixing AI’s Bottlenecks: Memory, Scale, and Sparsity

- Show: [EE Times Current](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current)
- Published: 2026-04-23
- Length: 58m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-04-23-fixing-ais-bottlenecks-memory-scale-and-sparsity
- Listen: https://podcast.show/aspencore/episode/153831128/

## Summary

A panel of neuromorphic engineering experts, including Dr. Damien Querlioz, Dr. Julian Büchel, Professor Tamalika Banerjee, Dr. Maxence Ernoult, and Professor Steve Furber, discusses the bottlenecks in AI hardware at the Atoms to Bits conference. They debate the shift from scale-based emergence to engineered approaches, highlighting memory, connectivity, and sparsity as critical challenges. The discussion also covers the viability of emerging technologies, the role of public funding, and the potential for an AI market bubble.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-04-23-fixing-ais-bottlenecks-memory-scale-and-sparsity#t=1) Introduction and Panelist Introductions
- [3:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-04-23-fixing-ais-bottlenecks-memory-scale-and-sparsity#t=215) Shift from Scale to Engineering and Memory Focus
- [7:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-04-23-fixing-ais-bottlenecks-memory-scale-and-sparsity#t=474) Startup Validation and Customer Needs
- [11:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-04-23-fixing-ais-bottlenecks-memory-scale-and-sparsity#t=661) Google DeepMind's View on Physical Learning
- [13:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-04-23-fixing-ais-bottlenecks-memory-scale-and-sparsity#t=809) Spinnaker Architecture and Connectivity Challenges
- [16:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-04-23-fixing-ais-bottlenecks-memory-scale-and-sparsity#t=985) Sparsity, KV Caches, and ADC Limitations
- [23:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-04-23-fixing-ais-bottlenecks-memory-scale-and-sparsity#t=1419) Computing Primitives and New Materials
- [33:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-04-23-fixing-ais-bottlenecks-memory-scale-and-sparsity#t=1998) Public Funding and the 'Neuromorphic Zoo'
- [38:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-04-23-fixing-ais-bottlenecks-memory-scale-and-sparsity#t=2300) AI Bubble and Future Applications

## Topics

- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises, early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- IBM Research (company)
- Google DeepMind (company)
- iMchip (company)
- Intel (company)
- Micron (company)
- 3D X Point (product)
- Spinnaker (product)
- TSMC (company)
- Cerebras (company)
- Logitech (company)
- OpenAI (company)
- Microsoft Research (company)
- Extropic (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [EP 163: Breaking the Memory Wall: Micron’s Strategy for the AI Era](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2026-05-05-ep-163-breaking-the-memory-wall-microns-strategy-for-the-ai-era) (The Circuit)
- [EP 186: Mobile Bottlenecks, Skyrocketing AI CapEx, and the Compute Crunch](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2026-08-03-ep-186-mobile-bottlenecks-skyrocketing-ai-capex-and-the-compute-crunch) (The Circuit)
- [Episode 105: Sanity Check on Custom ASICS?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2025-02-17-episode-105-sanity-check-on-custom-asics) (The Circuit)
- [EP 136: WE DON'T HAVE THE POWER!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2025-10-06-ep-136-we-dont-have-the-power) (The Circuit)
- [Episode 25: Challenges for the Semiconductor Industry to Grow to $1 Trillion](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-07-17-episode-25-challenges-for-the-semiconductor-industry-to-grow-to-1-trillion) (The Circuit)

## Citing this page

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