Intel unveils new AI chips at Computex amid rivalry with Nvidia, AMD, Qualcomm

US chip titan Intel on Tuesday struck a defiant tone within the face of sturdy challenges from rivals Nvidia, AMD and Qualcomm, unveiling applied sciences it stated would lead the substitute intelligence revolution.

For many years, Intel has dominated the marketplace for the chips that run the whole lot from laptops to knowledge facilities. However in recent times, its opponents, particularly Nvidia, have soared forward on specialised AI processors.

Throughout a keynote speech at Taiwan’s Computex expo, CEO Pat Gelsinger launched Intel’s newest Xeon 6 processors for servers, and shared extra particulars about its next-gen Lunar Lake chips for AI PCs.

“AI is driving one of the consequential eras of innovation the business has ever seen,” Gelsinger stated.

“The magic of silicon is as soon as once more enabling exponential developments in computing that can push the boundaries of human potential and energy the worldwide financial system for years to come back.”

Gelsinger stated Intel’s newest gear offers the most effective accessible mixture of efficiency, power effectivity and affordability.

Intel’s Gaudi programs—used for superior AI work akin to coaching fashions—come at a 3rd of the price of what opponents provide, he claimed.

Gelsinger’s presentation adopted earlier keynote speeches by Nvidia boss Jensen Huang, AMD CEO Lisa Su and Qualcomm’s Cristiano Amon—they usually have been replete with claims and counterclaims about which agency’s merchandise have been greatest for AI.

Su and Amon gave detailed shows on the chips their corporations have developed for AI-enhanced private computer systems.

Microsoft this month unveiled its Copilot+ AI PCs, which can have synthetic intelligence options constructed into its Home windows working system.

Together with Microsoft, these can be supplied by a number of the world’s greatest producers, together with Dell, HP, Samsung and Lenovo, and can have AI options on the system and never simply by way of the web.

Gelsinger particularly rejected Qualcomm’s declare that its AI PC chips have been higher than Intel’s.

“I simply need to put that to mattress proper now,” he stated. “Ain’t true!”

AI computer systems are anticipated to be 80 p.c of the PC market by 2028, Intel stated, citing the Boston Consulting Group.

‘AI sensible island’

Computex is the highest annual tech showcase in Taiwan, whose semiconductor business is essential to the manufacturing of the whole lot from iPhones to the servers that run ChatGPT.

With the world’s main tech companies betting large on AI, Taiwanese producers have emerged as central gamers in these plans.

The island produces the majority of the world’s most superior semiconductors, together with these wanted for probably the most highly effective AI functions and analysis.

Taiwan’s authorities desires to make use of these capabilities to speed up the widespread use of AI.

“Now we have loads to do to construct Taiwan into an AI sensible island,” President Lai Ching-te, who took workplace final month, stated throughout a go to to Computex on Tuesday.

Nonetheless, Taiwan’s central place within the provide chain for semiconductors—the lifeblood of the trendy financial system—has develop into a supply of concern in capitals and boardrooms around the globe.

Taiwan is self-ruled, however China claims the island as its territory and has stated it could by no means surrender using drive to carry it below its management.

In recent times, the connection between Beijing and Taipei has deteriorated and the Chinese language navy has staged a number of large-scale workouts across the island.

© 2024 AFP