Apple to specialize in AI inference chips for servers

[Alan Browne]

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.

[badgolferman]

Post by Alan Browne
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?

[Hank Rogers]

Post by badgolferman

Post by Alan Browne
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.

[Alan Browne]

Post by Hank Rogers

Post by badgolferman

Post by Alan Browne
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.

<s>

Post by Hank Rogers

Post by badgolferman
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.

Post by Hank Rogers
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).