Moore’s regulation in danger and the fate of figuring

Intel co-founder Gordon Moore, who passed away earlier this year, was well-known for predicting that semiconductor chip transistor densities would continue to rise. His eponymous “Moore’s regulation” actually turns out as expected after just about sixty years, yet further advancement is becoming more diligently and eye-wateringly costly to support. The practicalities of maintaining Moore’s law, its significance, and the critical role that physicists play are discussed in this Physics World Stories podcast episode.

One of the most important questions right now is whether large language models and other forms of generative AI can be handled by current computer hardware. There is additionally worry about whether processing can assist with handling the present complex worldwide difficulties without soaring energy requests. While optical and quantum based computing may play a significant role in the development of new computing paradigms, their widespread practical applicability remains a major concern.