Can We Do Better? - Keynote Talk at MICRO 2025 - Prof. Onur Mutlu

Can We Do Better? - Keynote Talk at MICRO 2025 - Prof. Onur Mutlu

🎙 Onur Mutlu 👥 64K 📅 October 21, 2025 ⏱ 86 min 👁 3K 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-08-15
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

processing-in-memorydata-centric computingmemory scalingRowHammerenergy efficiency

Summary

In this keynote at MICRO 2025, Prof. Onur Mutlu critically examines the current state of computing system design, arguing that the processor-centric paradigm is hitting fundamental limits. He presents data showing that data movement dominates energy consumption and performance bottlenecks, with up to 90% of system energy spent on memory in some workloads. He advocates for a paradigm shift towards memory-centric computing, where computation is performed near or inside memory to reduce data movement. The talk covers two main areas: making memory more autonomous to handle technology scaling issues like RowHammer, and enabling memory to perform computation. He discusses challenges including interface changes, software support, and the need for a data-centric theory of computation. He also reflects on the research process, urging the community to question assumptions and embrace non-conformist thinking to achieve fundamental improvements.

135 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The talk provides high value by synthesizing years of research on memory-centric computing and presenting compelling data on the inefficiencies of current systems. The argumentation is strong, backed by specific studies and real-world examples. Mutlu effectively deconstructs the processor-centric mindset and makes a convincing case for exploring alternative paradigms. He also addresses counterarguments and acknowledges the difficulty of paradigm shifts, making the argument more nuanced.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The talk demonstrates high scientific rigor, referencing numerous peer-reviewed papers and open-source tools. The sources are credible and directly related to the content. The title accurately reflects the talk’s critical and forward-looking nature. The talk is well-structured and the arguments are supported by data. The inclusion of a poem and philosophical reflections adds depth but does not detract from the scientific content.

142 words

Title / Content Match

The title 'Can We Do Better?' accurately reflects the talk's critical examination of current computing paradigms and its call for improvement.

Quality & Reliability

9/10

The talk is given by a leading expert in computer architecture with a strong publication record. It references specific papers and provides data from real systems. The content is well-structured and critical, but it is primarily an opinion/keynote rather than a peer-reviewed study.

Key Moments

Cited Sources

Concurring Sources

Dissenting Sources

  • No discordant sources found — The talk does not directly address opposing viewpoints, but it acknowledges the difficulty of paradigm shifts.

External References

Contribution & Novelties

The talk provides a comprehensive and critical overview of the need for a paradigm shift in computing, synthesizing years of research on memory-centric architectures. It offers a compelling argument for why current systems are inefficient and proposes concrete directions for improvement. The talk also encourages the community to question assumptions and adopt a more innovative mindset.

Pour aller plus loin :

94 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows high scores across all dimensions, indicating a well-rounded and authoritative presentation. The talk excels in information quantity and quality, with a strong technical level and high reliability.

Reliability 9/10

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