# Tsetlin Machines vs Neural Networks Last updated: 26 September 2025 Literal Labs' co-founder Professor Alex Yakovlev and CTO Leon Fedden recently sat down (and stood up) with electronics engineer Elliott Lee-Hearn of ipXchange is rethinking AI at the edge with an alternative to neural networks: [Tsetlin Machines](https://www.literal-labs.ai/tsetlin-machines/). Unlike traditional machine learning, which relies on heavy matrix operations and opaque black-box methods, Tsetlin Machines take a [logic-based approach](https://www.literal-labs.ai/logical-ai/). This enables models that are **transparent, lightweight, and energy-efficient** — capable of running on microcontrollers with extremely limited memory and power. For engineers working on real-world edge AI, this represents a genuine shift: explainable AI that performs where it’s needed most, without the burden of accelerators or excessive compute. In the interview, Alex and Leon explain what makes Tsetlin Machines different, why explainability in AI matters, and how Literal Labs’ technology is designed to overcome the size, speed, and opacity challenges of today’s neural network approaches. They also highlight the kinds of applications where logic-based models are the best fit, from embedded IoT to decision intelligence at scale. If you’re struggling with models that are too large, too slow, or too opaque, this discussion offers a clear view of how we’re building a more sustainable and practical path forward for AI at the edge. ### More Visit '[Tsetlin Machines vs Neural Networks: A Logic-Based Alternative for Edge AI](https://ipxchange.tech/product-news/literal-labs-tsetlin-machines-vs-neural-networks/)' to watch the video in full. It features Alex Yakovlev and Leon Fedden and was released 26 Sep 2025. ### Recent press **[Barclays says we're one to watch in 2026](https://www.literal-labs.ai/about/news/barclays-ai-100-2026.html)** [](https://www.literal-labs.ai/about/news/barclays-ai-100-2026.html) **[Literal Labs wins AI Research & Innovation prize](https://www.literal-labs.ai/about/news/global-ai-excellence-awards.html)** [](https://www.literal-labs.ai/about/news/global-ai-excellence-awards.html) **[Jim Darragh appointed as Non-Executive Chairman](https://www.literal-labs.ai/about/news/jim-darragh-appointed-chairman.html)** [](https://www.literal-labs.ai/about/news/jim-darragh-appointed-chairman.html) **[Next Big Shift in AI with Noel Hurley](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/ai-next-big-thing-2026.html)** [](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/ai-next-big-thing-2026.html) **[The future of AI with Noel Hurley](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/noel-hurley-london-futurists-podcast.html)** [](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/noel-hurley-london-futurists-podcast.html) **[Literal Labs CEO Talks Logic, Chips, and AI](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/noel-hurley-britchips-podcast.html)** [](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/noel-hurley-britchips-podcast.html) **[AI Innovation Award - we're shortlisted](https://www.literal-labs.ai/about/news/national-ai-awards-2025.html)** [](https://www.literal-labs.ai/about/news/national-ai-awards-2025.html) **[We're still an AI startup to watch](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/best-ai-startups-2025.html)** [](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/best-ai-startups-2025.html) **[Literal Labs closes pre-seed round](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/literal-labs-pre-seed-round.html)** [](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/literal-labs-pre-seed-round.html) **[Literal Labs raises £4.6M funding](https://www.literal-labs.ai/about/news/literal-labs-funding.html)** [](https://www.literal-labs.ai/about/news/literal-labs-funding.html) **[Compute efficient AI and being on calls with VCs](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/literal-labs-ai-approach.html)** [](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/literal-labs-ai-approach.html) **[Literal Labs named sustainable AI challenge finalist](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/sustainable-ai-extreme-tech-challenge.html)** [](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/sustainable-ai-extreme-tech-challenge.html) **[Tsetlin Machine & AI sustainability](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/tsetlin-machine-energy-consumption.html)** [](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/tsetlin-machine-energy-consumption.html) **[New Standard in Anomaly Detection](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/sota-mlperf-tiny-anomaly.html)** [](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/sota-mlperf-tiny-anomaly.html) **[A Step Towards Sustainable AI and Energy Efficiency](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/sustainable-ai-startup.html)** [](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/sustainable-ai-startup.html) **[We're an AI startup to watch](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/best-ai-startups-2024.html)** [](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/best-ai-startups-2024.html) **[Strategic Innovations in U.K. AI Startup Leadership](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/uk-ai-startup-strategic-direction.html)** [](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/uk-ai-startup-strategic-direction.html) **[Call for a 21st Century Industrial Strategy for UK's Tech Ascent](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/uk-2020s-industrial-strategy.html)** [](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/uk-2020s-industrial-strategy.html) **[UK's AI Ambitions: Striving Beyond Foreign Investment Shadows](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/british-ai-startups.html)** [](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/british-ai-startups.html) **[AI in the UK, its future, the fight for talent, and its regulation](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/uk-ai-startups.html)** [](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/uk-ai-startups.html) **[Literal Labs: Arm's Influence Fuels the Tsetlin Machine Revolution](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/literal-labs-arm-staff.html)** [](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/literal-labs-arm-staff.html) **[Literal Labs: Harnessing Arm's Legacy to Forge AI Innovation](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/literal-labs-arm-team.html)** [](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/literal-labs-arm-team.html) **[Revolutionizing AI: Greener Approach with Energy-Efficient Technology](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/literal-labs-shift-no-neural-networks.html)** [](https://www.literal-labs.ai/press/literal-labs-shift-no-neural-networks.html)