At the Cisco AI Summit on Tuesday, Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan announced that the company will begin producing graphics processing units, or GPUs, which rival Nvidia currently dominates.
GPUs serve as specialized processors, differing from the central processing units, or CPUs, that Intel has traditionally manufactured. These chips support applications such as gaming and the training of artificial intelligence models. TechCrunch contacted Intel for additional details on the announcement.
The GPU project falls under the oversight of Kevork Kechichian, executive vice president and general manager of Intel’s data center group. Reuters reported on Kechichian’s role in this effort. Intel hired Kechichian in September as part of multiple new hires focused on engineering expertise.
Intel brought on Eric Demers in January to contribute to the GPU initiative. Demers spent more than 13 years at Qualcomm, where he most recently held the position of senior vice president of engineering.
The effort remains in relatively early stages. Tan stated that Intel plans to develop its strategy around customer demands and needs.
Nvidia did not invent the GPU, yet this type of chip has contributed substantially to the company’s achievements. Nvidia’s GPUs designed for AI systems stand out for their advanced capabilities and widespread adoption, securing the chipmaker a commanding lead in the market.
