A science communicator is illustrating exponential growth: a single AI chip doubles its processing power every 2 years. If it starts at 1 teraflop, how many teraflops will it reach in 10 years?

Wed, 06 May 2026 18:05:35 +0000

**How A Science Communicator Is Illustrating Exponential Growth: A Single AI Chip Doubles Power Every 2 Years** In a world where computing demands escalate daily, a striking fact fuels intrigue: one AI chip doubles its processing power every two years. Starting at just 1 teraflop, what does such exponential growth mean for technology’s future—and how can people grasp its real implications? This pattern isn’t just theoretical—it’s reshaping industries, driving innovation, and underpinning advances from smartphone AI to complex scientific modeling. For curious minds exploring AI’s trajectory, understanding this doubling pattern offers a clear window into exponential change. Scientists and engineers use simple math to track this growth: every 2 years, computing power isn’t just increasing—it’s multiplying by two. Over 10 years, that means five doubling periods. Starting at 1 teraflop: Year 0: 1 TFlop
Year 2: 2 TFlops
Year 4: 4 TFlops
Year 6: 8 TFlops
Year 8: 16 TFlops
Year 10: 32 TFlops