A conventional resistor is described by its electrical resistance. In a memristive device, conductance also depends on the history of applied signals. A voltage pulse can change material inside the device, leaving a state that can subsequently be read. The term covers a family of devices with this behavior.
Some implementations form or modify a tiny conducting path. Distinct resistance states, sometimes including intermediate levels, represent information. This interests neural-network designers because conductance can encode a connection weight close to where computation happens.
Resistive memory and experimental analog AI accelerators built around it should not be treated as equally mature products. Device variation, endurance and readout precision remain important engineering challenges. Memory can also be temporary: fading states in dynamic devices are useful for reservoir computing. The resemblance to a synapse is functional and limited. It does not turn an electronic chip into living tissue or establish consciousness.