Gilles Backhus (Recogni)
Overview
Gilles Backhus is a prominent figure in the field of artificial intelligence, especially known for his work in real-time AI development and AI chip design. He is a co-founder and the Vice President of AI and Product at Recogni, a company recognized for its innovative AI inference systems used in data centers. His career spans over a decade, where he has contributed significantly to advancements in AI technology. Before founding Recogni, Backhus worked with various startups, including Lilium and KONUX, where he developed expertise in real-time machine learning and AI solutions for industrial applications.
Recent Developments
In the past few years, Gilles Backhus has been at the forefront of groundbreaking advancements in AI technology. Recent key developments include:
- August 2024: Recogni unveiled a new AI computing system called "Pareto," which optimizes AI compute performance while reducing power consumption and chip size. This logarithmic system outperforms traditional methods by converting multiplications into additions, significantly lowering operational costs and improving efficiency.
- February 2024: Recogni secured $102 million in a Series C funding round led by Juniper Networks and other major investors, with the aim of accelerating the development of their AI inference systems focused on data centers.
- Recent Partnerships: Recogni entered into a collaboration with Juniper Networks to enhance chip-to-chip networking capabilities, pivotal for efficiently distributing large AI models across multiple AI chips without compromising on speed or memory requirements.
- Product Launches: Recogni has introduced several innovations, including the "Scorpio" vision-inference chip, designed for high-performance AI tasks in autonomous vehicles and data centers, leveraging latest-generation technology.
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gilles Backhus |
| Born | Not publicly available |
| Nationality | German |
| Occupation | Co-Founder, VP of AI & Product at Recogni |
| Known For | AI chip design, real-time AI development |
| Education | M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Technical University of Munich |
| Languages Spoken | German, English, French, basic Japanese |
Early Life and Education
Gilles Backhus grew up in Germany where he developed an early interest in technology and engineering. His passion for AI and computing led him to pursue a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering at the Technical University of Munich. During his academic tenure, he took a semester at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, which broadened his exposure to global technological trends. Between 2013 and 2014, he earned an Honors Degree in Technology Management from the Center for Digital Technology and Management (CDTM). This educational background laid a solid foundation for his future endeavors in AI and machine learning.
Career and Notable Achievements
Gilles Backhus's career trajectory is marked by numerous significant achievements and roles:
- Early Career: Worked on network-on-chip and FPGA development for BMW Motorbike Motorsport, developing digital communication systems for race cars.
- Kumu Networks and SENSACT: Engaged in algorithm development and real-time machine learning initiatives.
- KONUX: Served as the AI Lead, where he contributed to AI solutions for predictive maintenance systems.
- Lilium: Developed sensor systems for one of the pioneers in electric air taxis.
- Recogni (2017-Present): As VP of AI and product, he has been instrumental in developing high-performance, low-power AI chips that are set to revolutionize data processing in data centers.
Current Work and Impact
Currently, Gilles Backhus is driving the development and strategic direction of Recogni's AI inference systems. His work significantly impacts the AI chip industry by enhancing compute efficiency and lowering energy needs for data-intensive AI applications. Under his leadership, Recogni aims to tackle significant challenges associated with AI deployment, focusing on sustainability and the reduction of computational costs. Backhus's work is pivotal in making AI more accessible and cost-effective for a broader range of applications.
Conclusion
Gilles Backhus stands as a key contributor to the field of artificial intelligence, particularly in the development of cutting-edge AI chips and systems. His work at Recogni is crucial in addressing the growing computational demands of AI while maintaining a focus on sustainability and efficiency. As AI continues to permeate various sectors, Backhus's innovations are likely to have a long-lasting impact, potentially setting new standards in AI chip design and deployment.