Light-based AI image generator uses almost no power
14 days ago
- #AI
- #energy-efficiency
- #optical-computing
- AI image generators using conventional computing hardware consume significant energy.
- A new diffusion-based image generator uses light instead of computing power, reducing energy consumption.
- The system encodes images digitally but decodes them optically, requiring minimal computational power.
- It produces images in a single snapshot, unlike digital models needing hundreds of steps.
- Test images included simple objects and Van Gogh-style artwork with comparable quality to conventional generators.
- Energy consumption is drastically lower—millijoules per image vs. hundreds or thousands of joules for digital models.
- Potential applications include wearable electronics like AI glasses due to low power needs.