Microsoft and AMD team up to rival NVIDIA in AI

5 May 2023 10:30 am GMT+0000 Date Time

Microsoft and AMD collaborate to challenge NVIDIA in AI chip market
Microsoft and AMD have joined forces to develop an alternative to NVIDIA Corp. technology, which currently dominates the artificial intelligence (AI) chips market. This partnership, which includes Microsoft providing engineering support to AMD and working on a Microsoft processor for AI under the code name “Athena”, reflects the companies’ efforts to increase the computing power of AI, which continues to grow in popularity. The ATHENA project, which focuses on developing partially individualized chips for AMD’s largest customers to use data processing in their AI centers, highlights Microsoft’s shift towards the microchip industry. In recent years, the tech giant has been actively developing its microcircuit production unit, investing approximately $2 billion to date. The group consists of almost 1000 employees, several hundred of whom are already working on ATHENA. Currently undergoing internal testing, the Microsoft team engaged in ATHENA is developing a graphic processor for training and working with AI models. There are plans to make the product available for wider use in 2022. While NVIDIA currently offers clients a comprehensive solution by combining software and hardware, other tech companies, such as Microsoft and AMD, are trying to establish their own AI processors. Amazon acquired Annapurna Labs in 2016 and developed two different AI processors, while Google has designed its own AI training chip. However, competing with NVIDIA may prove challenging, given its established market dominance. Nevertheless, Microsoft and AMD remain committed to developing new technologies and establishing an alternative in the AI market. As AI continues to be integrated in various industries, the success of their endeavour may prove to be the key to their long-term growth.

Microsoft and AMD collaborate to challenge NVIDIA in AI chip market

Microsoft and AMD have joined forces to develop an alternative to NVIDIA Corp. technology, which currently dominates the artificial intelligence (AI) chips market. This partnership, which includes Microsoft providing engineering support to AMD and working on a Microsoft processor for AI under the code name “Athena”, reflects the companies’ efforts to increase the computing power of AI, which continues to grow in popularity.

The ATHENA project, which focuses on developing partially individualized chips for AMD’s largest customers to use data processing in their AI centers, highlights Microsoft’s shift towards the microchip industry. In recent years, the tech giant has been actively developing its microcircuit production unit, investing approximately $2 billion to date. The group consists of almost 1000 employees, several hundred of whom are already working on ATHENA.

Currently undergoing internal testing, the Microsoft team engaged in ATHENA is developing a graphic processor for training and working with AI models. There are plans to make the product available for wider use in 2022.

While NVIDIA currently offers clients a comprehensive solution by combining software and hardware, other tech companies, such as Microsoft and AMD, are trying to establish their own AI processors. Amazon acquired Annapurna Labs in 2016 and developed two different AI processors, while Google has designed its own AI training chip. However, competing with NVIDIA may prove challenging, given its established market dominance.

Nevertheless, Microsoft and AMD remain committed to developing new technologies and establishing an alternative in the AI market. As AI continues to be integrated in various industries, the success of their endeavour may prove to be the key to their long-term growth.

/Reports, release notes, official announcements.