Graphics Processing Unit: a processor with thousands of small cores designed for parallel work, used for graphics and AI.
GPUs were originally built to render images for games and video by calculating the color of millions of pixels at once. That same design, many simple cores working in parallel, turned out to be ideal for the matrix math at the heart of machine learning.
Today, GPUs train and run most large AI models, from image recognizers to large language models, and data centers deploy them in large clusters. They are also used for scientific simulation, video editing, and 3D design. Software platforms such as NVIDIA's CUDA and open alternatives make it easier for developers to program GPUs. Demand for high-end data center GPUs has become a major factor in AI costs and in global semiconductor supply chains.
Central Processing Unit: the main processor in a computer that executes program instructions and coordinates other components.
Deep LearningA branch of machine learning that uses neural networks with many layers to learn patterns from large amounts of data.
Moore's LawThe observation that the number of transistors on a computer chip roughly doubles about every two years.
Neural Processing UnitA specialized processor designed to run AI and machine learning tasks efficiently, often built into phones and laptops.
SemiconductorA material, most commonly silicon, whose electrical conductivity can be controlled, forming the basis of computer chips and electronics.
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