The SiliconBurmuin Initiative
Since 2022, the SiliconBurmuin initiative is driving the Basque Country to the forefront of the upcoming neuromorphic AI wave, enabling competitive advantages for industry and creating business opportunities in the region’s semiconductor sector. By tapping into the power of neuroscience, neuromorphic chips have the potential to redefine AI by delivering energy-efficient nature-inspired performance in complex perception tasks, enabling a market projected to generate $8.4 billion by 2034.
The SiliconBurmuin initiative, rooted in its Basque heritage —‘Burmuin’ means ‘brain’ in the Basque language— is supported by the Basque Government through its business development agency SPRI and runs in liaison with two major semiconductor initiatives: Spanish PERTE Chip and EU Chips JU.
Advancing neuromorphic innovation through science-tech-industry collaboration
SiliconBurmuin brings together the Basque Country’s largest university, its leading health research institute, and six research centres specialising in neuroscience, mathematics, AI, and digital circuit design. The initiative aims to unlock and transform neuroscience knowledge into neuromorphic technology, addressing the most demanding industry requirements. It initially focuses on AI-powered vision systems for autonomous railway navigation and clinical diagnosis.
Many members of SiliconBurmuin are also part of the Working Group on Neuromorphic and AI Technology within the Spanish Semiconductor Industry Association, enhancing capabilities at the national level in Spain. Additionally, SiliconBurmuin collaborates with European partners, formalised through participation in EU research projects.
