A method and system for training or prediction of a neural network. A current value may be stored for each of a plurality of synapses or filters in the neural network. A historical metric of activity may be independently determined for each individual or group of the synapses or filters during one or more past iterations. A plurality of partial activations of the neural network may be iteratively executed. Each partial-activation iteration may activate a subset of the plurality of synapses or filters in the neural network. Each individual or group of synapses or filters may be activated in a portion of a total number of iterations proportional to the historical metric of activity independently determined for that individual or group of synapses or filters. Training or prediction of the neural network may be performed based on the plurality of partial activations of the neural network.