Technology
Tuesday, May 7th, 2024 2:02 pm EDT
Key Points
- Apple has been developing its own chips, codenamed “Project ACDC”, to run AI software in data centers, leveraging its chip design expertise for server infrastructure.345
- The project has been ongoing for several years in collaboration with TSMC, but there is no clear timeline for when these AI chips will be unveiled, if at all.345
- Apple’s server chips are expected to focus on AI inference tasks, which involve using trained AI models to draw conclusions from new data, rather than training the AI models themselves, an area dominated by Nvidia.
Apple, the tech giant known for its innovative products and services, has been quietly working on a project that could potentially shake up the artificial intelligence (AI) landscape. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the company has been developing its own chips to run AI software in data centers, a project codenamed “ACDC” (Apple Chips in Data Center).12345While the project has been in the works for several years, the report suggests that there is no clear timeline for its completion. Apple has been collaborating with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) on the chip’s design and production, but it remains uncertain whether these efforts have yielded any positive results so far.12345The report further states that Apple’s server chip will likely focus on AI inference rather than training AI models. AI inference is the process by which trained machine learning models draw conclusions from new data. This area has been dominated by Nvidia, the American chip giant known for its powerful graphics processing units (GPUs) used in AI training and inference.12345Apple’s foray into AI chips for data centers is part of a broader trend among tech companies to develop their own specialized hardware for AI workloads. Companies like Google have invested heavily in developing their own AI inference server chips, aiming to reduce their reliance on third-party chip designers and gain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.12345While Apple has been relatively quiet about its AI ambitions compared to rivals like Microsoft, which has invested billions into AI technology and infrastructure, the company’s CEO Tim Cook acknowledged in February that they were “investing significantly” in AI. He also hinted at an AI-related announcement later this year, which analysts expect to be unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June.12345During Apple’s latest quarterly earnings call on Thursday, Cook reiterated the company’s commitment to AI, stating, “We believe in the transformative power and promise of AI, and we believe we have advantages that will differentiate us in this new era.” Despite a 4% drop in overall revenue due to declining iPhone sales, Apple’s fiscal second-quarter earnings beat expectations, and the company announced a record $110 billion share buyback, resulting in a jump in share price.12345While details about Apple’s AI chip project remain scarce, the company’s efforts underscore the growing importance of specialized hardware in the AI race. As AI continues to reshape various industries, tech giants like Apple are positioning themselves to capitalize on this transformative technology by developing their own custom silicon tailored for AI workloads.
For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/05/07/apple-is-reportedly-developing-chips-to-run-ai-software-in-data-centers-.html
