When people talk about AI, they often focus on software and algorithms. But in reality, what truly makes AI run is a solid and comprehensive hardware system. Today, let’s talk about these “unsung heroes” behind the scenes.
The core of a powerful AI computing device is high-performance processors. In addition to the well-known CPU (Central Processing Unit), there are also GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), NPUs (Neural Processing Units), and others specifically designed for AI computing, which can process massive amounts of data much faster.
For these hardware components to perform efficiently, they rely on a robust “heart” (power) and “blood vessels” (cooling and networking).
Power and Cooling: The High-Energy-Consuming Heart
As AI chip performance advances, their power consumption has become staggering. A single high-performance GPU in a server can consume several kilowatts. To address the heat generated, modern AI data centers are increasingly adopting liquid cooling solutions. At the same time, power architectures are being upgraded, such as using high-voltage direct current power supplies to ensure stable electricity for large-scale server racks.
High-Speed Networking: The Data Highway
Large numbers of AI chips need to work together, making the speed of data transmission between them crucial. This requires ultra-high-speed network switching equipment, such as 800G or even 1.6T (i.e., 1600G). Networks are no longer just data transmission pipelines but have become key platforms supporting AI collaboration.
AI Empowering Traditional Electrical Equipment: Smart Circuit Breakers
Hardware doesn’t just support AI—it’s also being transformed by AI. Take the circuit breaker as an example. It is no longer just a simple switch but has evolved into a device integrated with sensing and intelligent analysis. Current research shows that by analyzing current and voltage waveforms with AI models, up to 98.2% fault identification accuracy can be achieved, enabling early warnings and “predictive tripping.” It’s like giving the fuse in your home a thinking brain.
In summary, the hardware world behind artificial intelligence is far richer than what we see on the surface. It is undergoing a profound transformation, from internal computing cores to external support facilities, and even traditional electrical equipment.
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