Physical neural networks with self-learning capabilities

Physical neural networks are artificial neural networks that mimic synapses and neurons using physical systems or materials. These networks harness the distinctive characteristics of physical systems to carry out computations effectively, potentially surpassing the constraints of conventional digital neural networks. A recent advancement known as “physical self-learning” aims to achieve learning through intrinsic physical processes rather than relying on external computations. This article offers a comprehensive review of the progress made in implementing physical self-learning across various physical systems. Prevailing learning strategies that contribute to the realization of physical self-learning are discussed. Despite challenges in understanding the fundamental mechanism of learning, this work highlights the progress towards constructing intelligent hardware from the ground up, incorporating embedded self-organizing and self-adaptive dynamics in physical systems.