AMD launches new AI chips to take on leader Nvidia
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AMD CEO Lisa Su unveiled the company's latest AI processor at the Computex technology trade show in Taipei on June 3.
PHOTO: AFP
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TAIPEI - Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) unveiled its latest artificial intelligence (AI) processors on June 3 and detailed its plan to develop AI chips over the next two years in a bid to challenge industry leader Nvidia
At the Computex technology trade show in Taipei, AMD chief executive officer Lisa Su introduced the MI325X accelerator, which is set to be made available in the fourth quarter of 2024.
The race to develop generative AI (GenAI) programs has led to towering demand for the advanced chips used in AI data centres able to support these complex applications.
US-based AMD has been vying to compete against Nvidia, which currently dominates the lucrative market for AI semiconductors and commands about an 80 per cent share.
AMD also introduced an upcoming series of chips titled MI350, which is expected to be available in 2025 and will be based on new chip architecture.
The firm said that compared with the currently available MI300 series of AI chips, it expects the MI350 to perform 35 times better in inference – the process of computing GenAI responses.
Additionally, AMD revealed the MI400 series, which will arrive in 2026 and will be based on an architecture called Next.
Investors who have poured billions of dollars into Wall Street’s picks-and-shovels trade have been seeking longer-term updates from chip firms as they evaluate the longevity of the booming GenAI rally, which so far has shown no signs of slowing down.
AMD’s shares have more than doubled since the start of 2023. This surge still pales in comparison with the more than sevenfold rise in Nvidia’s shares in the same period.
AMD is aiming at an AI chip product cycle of one year. Similarly, Nvidia said it plans to release a new family of AI chips every year.
Ms Su said in April that the company expects AI chip sales of roughly US$4 billion (S$5.4 billion) for 2024, an increase of US$500 million from its prior estimate.
At the Computex event, AMD also said its latest generation of central processing units (CPUs) will likely be available in the second half of 2024.
While businesses generally prioritise spending on AI chips in data centres, some of AMD’s CPUs are used in conjunction with graphics processor units, though the ratio is skewed in favour of graphics processing units.
AMD detailed the architecture for its new neural processing units, which are dedicated to handling on-device AI tasks in AI personal computers.
Chipmakers have been banking on added AI capabilities to drive growth in the PC market as it emerges from a years-long slump.
PC providers such as HP and Lenovo will release devices that include AMD’s AI PC chips. AMD said its processors exceed Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC requirements. REUTERS
