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Apple joins consortium to help develop next-gen AI data center tech
Apple has joined a consortium dedicated to the development of next-generation AI data center technology. The company has become a member of the Ultra Accelerator Link Consortium (UALink), which aims to create an open standard for connecting AI accelerator chips in server farms.
UALink, as reported by TechCrunch, is developing a new technology called UALink that enables the linking of GPU, CPU, and custom-designed solutions. This innovation promises to accelerate the training, fine-tuning, and running of AI models.
According to sources close to the matter, Apple has taken on a board position within the consortium. Other members include Alibaba Group Holding and Synopsys, Inc., a leading semiconductor company.
As part of its efforts to boost its own AI capabilities, Apple is reportedly working on developing a new server chip to enhance the efficiency of its AI data centers. This move comes as the company continues to expand its offerings in the realm of artificial intelligence with Apple Intelligence.
However, it’s worth noting that Nvidia, which is the leading manufacturer of AI accelerators, has not joined UALink. The reason behind this decision remains unclear.
UALink aims to launch its products in the coming couple of years based on open standards like AMD’s Infinity Fabric. Other prominent members of the consortium include Intel, Google, AWS, Microsoft, and Meta.
For Apple, joining this consortium signifies a significant step forward in solidifying its position as a major player in the AI space.
Source: techcrunch.com
