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Artificial intelligence
TechTech Trends

Google unveils Arm-based Axion chips for AI, as Intel details Gaudi 3 AI chip amid race against Nvidia

  • Intel says that its new Gaudi 3 chip can train specific large language models more quickly than Nvidia’s prior-generation H100 processor
  • Google plans to offer its new Arm-based central processing unit called Axion via Google Cloud

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An Intel microprocessor manufacturing site in Chandler, Arizona. Photo: Reuters
Reuters

Intel detailed a new version of its artificial intelligence (AI) chip at its Vision event on Tuesday, while Google revealed the details of a new version of its data-centre AI chips and announced an Arm-based based central processor, as both companies take aim at Nvidia’s dominance in semiconductors that power AI.

Tech companies are hunting for an alternative source of the scarce chips that are needed for AI.

Intel said that its new Gaudi 3 chip was capable of training specific large language models 50 per cent more quickly than Nvidia’s prior-generation H100 processor. It is also capable for computing generative AI responses, a process called inference, more quickly than the H100 chips for some of the models Intel tested.

“Our customers, first and foremost, are asking for choice in the industry,” said Intel vice-president, strategy and product management Jeni Barovian.

“They are coming to us and they are expecting that Intel, as a computing leader, will follow the wave of (generative AI) and deliver solutions that meet their needs. And they are looking for an open approach.”

Alphabet’s Googleplex headquarters in Mountain View, California. Photo: Dreamstime/TNS
Alphabet’s Googleplex headquarters in Mountain View, California. Photo: Dreamstime/TNS
Intel used Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co’s 5-nanometre process to build the chips. Gaudi 3 includes two main processor chips fused together, and is more than twice as fast as its predecessor.
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