Microsoft’s Venture into Producing an AI Chip

MetaversePlanet October 10, 2023

0 1 minute read

Microsoft has been in the spotlight for its advancements in artificial intelligence, maintaining a strong commitment to AI amidst heavy investments by competitors.

According to a report from The Information, Microsoft is poised to reveal its first artificial intelligence (AI) chip next month. Named “Athena,” this chip is designed to reduce Microsoft’s dependence on Nvidia’s graphics processing units for AI tasks.

Microsoft's Venture into Producing an AI Chip

At present, Microsoft utilizes Nvidia GPUs to power advanced language models in its data centers, serve cloud clients, and enhance productivity software with AI features. Yet, with demand in this area outstripping supply, Microsoft has initiated its own chip development endeavor.

The upcoming AI chip, while offering similar capabilities to Nvidia GPUs, will feature a unique design optimized for data center servers. Through this development, Microsoft aims to improve the efficiency of AI applications and provide a smoother, more reliable experience for users of productivity software.

This move towards in-house AI chip production aligns with Microsoft’s broader strategy to strengthen its AI capabilities. By reducing its reliance on Nvidia, Microsoft seeks to gain better control over the hardware critical for powering its AI software.

Microsoft is expected to unveil this innovative AI chip at the “Ignite” conference, which is scheduled to take place from November 14-17.