The accomplishments of the human brain, capable of processing data at the speed of an exaflop while consuming only 20 watts of power, continue to astonish and inspire scientists to explore the boundaries of computational possibilities. Researchers in Australia have taken on the challenge of building the world's first supercomputer capable of simulating neural networks on this scale. The project, named DeepSouth and developed by Western Sydney University, aims to be a breakthrough in the fields of artificial intelligence and neuroscience.

The planned launch of DeepSouth in 2024 marks a new stage in the quest for computational and energy efficiency that mimics the human brain. The device is expected to achieve a staggering 228 trillion synaptic operations per second, comparable to the predicted speed of operations in our brains. How the brain manages vast amounts of information with such low energy consumption remains one of the greatest questions that scientists hope to answer.

If the secret of the brain's energy efficiency can be uncovered, it could pave the way for creating a superhuman cyborg brain that surpasses our computational abilities. Such technology could radically change our understanding of how the brain functions and its processes.

Andre van Schaik, director of the International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems at Western Sydney University, emphasizes that progress in understanding how the brain performs calculations using neurons has been limited by the inability to model large-scale neural networks. "Simulating enriched neural networks on conventional computers is too slow and too energy-intensive," says van Schaik, explaining the need for a new approach. The DeepSouth system aims to change this situation, opening up new possibilities for scientists studying neurology and engineers seeking to prototype innovations in AI.

The DeepSouth project is just a part of broader research into machines capable of competing with the human brain. Such technological progress has the potential not only to accelerate research in artificial intelligence but also to revolutionize fields such as medicine, computer science, and others that can benefit from advanced simulation capabilities of human cognitive processes.