Plenary Conférence 1

In-Memory Computing: A Path to Energy-Efficienty and Trustworthy Embedded AI 

Dr. Damien QUERLIOZ

Centre de Nanosciences et de Nanotechnologies, Univ. Paris-Saclay, France

Damien Querlioz is a CNRS Research Director at the Centre de Nanosciences et de Nanotechnologies of Université Paris-Saclay and CNRS. His research focuses on novel usages of emerging non-volatile memory and other nanodevices, in particular relying on inspirations from biology and machine learning. He received his predoctoral education at Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris and his PhD from Université Paris-Sud in 2009. Before his appointment at CNRS, he was a Postdoctoral Scholar at Stanford University and at the Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique. Damien Querlioz is the coordinator of the interdisciplinary INTEGNANO research group, with colleagues working on all aspects of nanodevice physics and technology, from materials to systems. He has co-authored one book, nine book chapters, more than 150 journal articles, and conference proceedings, and given more than 80 invited talks at national and international workshops and conferences. In 2016, he was the recipient of an ERC Starting Grant to develop the concept of natively intelligent memory. In 2017, he received the CNRS Bronze medal. He has also been a co-recipient of the 2017 IEEE Guillemin-Cauer Best Paper Award and of the 2018 IEEE Biomedical Circuits and Systems Best Paper Award.

Abstract

 Artificial intelligence (AI) has immense potential for edge applications, but its energy demands are a critical barrier to widespread adoption in fields such as medical implants and advanced brain-machine interfaces. Traditional computing systems face substantial inefficiencies due to the high energy costs of memory access. In contrast, the human brain achieves remarkable energy efficiency by performing computation directly within memory structures. This talk explores innovative approaches to embedded AI through in-memory and near-memory computing, focusing on integrating logic and memory to drastically reduce energy consumption. We highlight the development and application of emerging non-volatile memory technologies like memristors, magnetic memory, and phase-change memory. These technologies emulate the brain's energy-efficient architecture and have recently reached maturity, enabling the demonstration of fully functional in-memory computing systems, which we will showcase throughout this talk. These advanced memory technologies facilitate the creation of digital, low-precision neural networks, offering robust, low-power solutions for AI inference. They also enable analog in-memory computing, which naturally performs neural network operations through fundamental electrical laws. Despite their potential, these technologies come with significant challenges due to their variability. We demonstrate how Bayesian techniques can not only tolerate these imperfections but sometimes even leverage them. The presentation will also cover recent advances in local learning algorithms, such as Equilibrium Propagation, which promise efficient on-chip learning capabilities using in-memory computing. Finally, we will discuss the current challenges and future directions for incorporating such technologies at the architectural level.

Plenary Conférence 2

Introduction to Quantum Computing

Pr. Mourad TELMINI

Univ. Tunis El Manar  (Tunisia)

Mourad Telmini is Full Professor of physics at the Faculty of Sciences in Tunis (University of Tunis El Manar) and director of the Laboratory for Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy & Applications (LSAMA). He holds a PhD in Atomic Physics from the University of Paris-Sud. He teaches quantum mechanics, atomic physics and quantum information in undergraduate and master’s degrees. His research activities concern atomic physics (cold atoms and Bose-Einstein condensates in optical networks) and molecular (Rydberg states, halfium model, coherent control by ultra-short laser pulses). More recently, he has started research in quantum computing (variational calculus with quantum algorithms). He has published dozens of articles in international journals and has participated as a guest speaker at several international conferences. He is visiting professor at several universities in France, Germany, Brazil, South Africa, etc. He has held the positions of Director General of the National Centre for Nuclear Sciences and Technologies (CNSTN), and Vice President of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE). He represents Tunisia in the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) on behalf of the Tunisian Society of Physics (STP), of which he is Vice-President, and currently chairs the Tunisian Association of Metrology (ATMET). He is also editor of the magazine African Physics Newsletters and co-head of the Tunisian quantum network QUANTUN, representing Tunisia in the international World Quantum Day network

Abstract

Plenary Conférence 3

Advanced characterization of interface traps in electronic & photonic III-V devices

Pr. Paul HURLEY 

Tyndall National Institute (Ireland)

Prof. Paul Hurley is currently the Head of the Nanoelectronic Materials and Devices Group at the Tyndall National Institute and Professor at University College Cork. Paul leads a research group of around 25 PhD students, post-doctoral researchers, visiting students and Tyndall Research staff who perform research into alternative semiconductor materials and device structures aimed at improving the energy efficiency in the next generation of logic devices. Paul’s group investigates synaptic transistors using 2D materials, 2D & Oxide Semiconductors for electronic device applications, resistive switching in single/few layer 2 D materials, Ions in oxides as a new class of memory to realise dedicated neuromorphic hardware for the development of next generation integrated circuits (ICs). Paul is currently leading a four-year programme of research funded by Meta to enhance the efficiency of micro LEDs for display technologies and AR applications.

Paul received an Intel Outstanding Researcher award for his work on electrically active defects in high-k/III-V metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) system in 2012.

Abstract

Plenary Conférence 4

State of the art on WBG and UWBG

Power Semiconductor Devices

 Dr. Pierre BROSSELARD

Ampere Laboratory

INSA Lyon (France)

Abstract

Plenary Conférence 5

Hybridization of concentrating solar power (CSP) and photovoltaic (PV) technologies

(title to be confirmed)

 Dr. Hicham BOUZEKRI

Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN) 

Plenary Conférence 6

Future Computing Chips: The Need for a New Mindset to Sustain the World in the Age of AI

Pr. Saïd HAMDIOUI 

Computer Engineering Laboratory

TU Delft (Netherlands)