• Apple to specialize in AI inference chips for servers

    From Alan Browne@21:1/5 to All on Thu May 9 15:06:25 2024
    XPost: misc.phone.mobile.iphone

    Article doesn't indicate that these chips will be available for other
    companies to use.


    Apple working on AI chips for data centers, WSJ reports
    By Reuters

    ( https://www.reuters.com/technology/apple-working-ai-chips-data-centers-wsj-reports-2024-05-07/
    )

    May 6 (Reuters) - Apple is developing its own chip to run artificial intelligence software in data centers, the Wall Street Journal reported
    on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

    The project, internally codenamed as Project ACDC (Apple Chips in Data
    Center), aims to leverage Apple's chip design expertise for its server infrastructure, the report said.

    Apple, whose shares were 1% higher before the bell on Tuesday, did not
    respond to a Reuters request for comment.

    The company has emerged as a major chip designer in recent years, thanks
    to the success of its semiconductors that are used in the iPhone, iPads
    and Mac laptops.

    Apple's server chip will likely be focused on running AI models, also
    known as inference, rather than in training AI models, where Nvidia is dominant, the WSJ report said.

    Amid growing pressure due to a slow roll out of AI services, CEO Tim
    Cook had last week signaled that Apple plans to unveil a raft of
    features powered by the technology in the coming months.

    "We continue to feel very bullish about our opportunity in generative AI
    and we're making significant investments," Cook told Reuters last week.

    The company plans to hold a virtual event on Tuesday where it is
    expected to showcase new iPad models, some of which could come with a
    new chip aimed at speeding up AI tasks carried out on the devices.

    Project ACDC has been in the works for several years and it is uncertain
    when the new chip will be unveiled, if ever, the WSJ report said.

    Apple has been closely working with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
    Co to design and initiate production of such chips and that it remains uncertain whether both companies have yielded a definitive result, the
    report said.

    --
    “Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first;
    nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first.”
    - Charles de Gaulle.

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  • From Hank Rogers@21:1/5 to badgolferman on Thu May 9 18:40:32 2024
    XPost: misc.phone.mobile.iphone

    badgolferman wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:

    Article doesn't indicate that these chips will be available for other
    companies to use.


    Apple working on AI chips for data centers, WSJ reports
    By Reuters

    (
    https://www.reuters.com/technology/apple-working-ai-chips-data-centers-wsj-reports-2024-05-07/

    )

    May 6 (Reuters) - Apple is developing its own chip to run artificial
    intelligence software in data centers, the Wall Street Journal reported
    on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

    The project, internally codenamed as Project ACDC (Apple Chips in Data
    Center), aims to leverage Apple's chip design expertise for its server
    infrastructure, the report said.

    Apple, whose shares were 1% higher before the bell on Tuesday, did not
    respond to a Reuters request for comment.

    The company has emerged as a major chip designer in recent years, thanks
    to the success of its semiconductors that are used in the iPhone, iPads
    and Mac laptops.

    Apple's server chip will likely be focused on running AI models, also
    known as inference, rather than in training AI models, where Nvidia is
    dominant, the WSJ report said.

    Amid growing pressure due to a slow roll out of AI services, CEO Tim
    Cook had last week signaled that Apple plans to unveil a raft of
    features powered by the technology in the coming months.

    "We continue to feel very bullish about our opportunity in generative AI
    and we're making significant investments," Cook told Reuters last week.

    The company plans to hold a virtual event on Tuesday where it is
    expected to showcase new iPad models, some of which could come with a
    new chip aimed at speeding up AI tasks carried out on the devices.

    Project ACDC has been in the works for several years and it is uncertain
    when the new chip will be unveiled, if ever, the WSJ report said.

    Apple has been closely working with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
    Co to design and initiate production of such chips and that it remains
    uncertain whether both companies have yielded a definitive result, the
    report said.


    Will it work only with Apple hardware and services or will it be useful in other platforms too?


    Naturally it wouldn't work with anything but apple hardware :)

    But maybe it will get more traction than the famous apple car did.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Alan Browne@21:1/5 to Hank Rogers on Fri May 10 07:05:28 2024
    XPost: misc.phone.mobile.iphone

    On 2024-05-09 19:40, Hank Rogers wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:

    Article doesn't indicate that these chips will be available for other
    companies to use.


    Apple working on AI chips for data centers, WSJ reports
    By Reuters

    (
    https://www.reuters.com/technology/apple-working-ai-chips-data-centers-wsj-reports-2024-05-07/

    )

    May 6 (Reuters) - Apple is developing its own chip to run artificial
    intelligence software in data centers, the Wall Street Journal reported
    on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.



    Will it work only with Apple hardware and services or will it be
    useful in
    other platforms too?

    Naturally it wouldn't work with anything but apple hardware :)

    Very little info to date. I'd surmise that it is limited to Apple (as a
    chip) and for Apple owned and operated servers. In turn it would power
    some version of Siri (which can stand a lot of improvement) and/or other services.

    Would be interesting to know if they adapt Google Gemini or MS AI
    systems on it or roll their own.

    In turn for Apple device owners. It's plausible that Apple could charge
    some "rent" for access to such enhanced services.

    It's less plausible that Apple would provide such servers to other
    companies to use, esp. but given their market strategy.

    But maybe it will get more traction than the famous apple car did.

    Sad tale. I think it didn't have a true champion in Apple. OTOH, it's
    a save for Apple as EV prices are crashing, demand has slowed, crowded
    market - not Apple's thing and they were clearly too late to produce
    anything.

    That said, they do well with products like CarPlay and can continue to
    build on that - and integrate it with the new AI server product. All to
    be seen. (I haven't seen much in terms of update in CarPlay over the
    past couple years other than modest improvements to Maps).

    --
    “Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first;
    nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first.”
    - Charles de Gaulle.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)