Re: Apple to specialize in AI inference chips for servers

badgolferman wrote:

Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:

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Article doesn't indicate that these chips will be available for other
companies to use.
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Apple working on AI chips for data centers, WSJ reports
By Reuters
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(
https://www.reuters.com/technology/apple-working-ai-chips-data-centers-wsj-reports-2024-05-07/
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)
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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.
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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.
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Apple, whose shares were 1% higher before the bell on Tuesday, did not
respond to a Reuters request for comment.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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"We continue to feel very bullish about our opportunity in generative AI
and we're making significant investments," Cook told Reuters last week.
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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.
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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.
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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.