Intel is set to move beyond being a computing chip maker to an enabler in the world of artificial intelligence (AI). To achieve its objective, the company has announced its various new developments that can be deployed at data centre-level and expand its existing presence.
“Intel is committed to AI and is making major investments across technology, training, resources and R&D to advance AI for business and society,” writes Brian Krzanich, chief executive officer, Intel, in an editorial.
Intel is developing new chips to handle AI workloads. These chips are pronounced to work with existing Core processor family as well as fulfill tasks as primary processors in computers. Apart from desktops and mobile devices, the chip maker is aiming to enable AI for mainstream servers and IoT technologies.
Through the newly acquired AI leader, Nervana Systems, Intel is developing two new chips that are presently codenamed Lake Crest and Knights Mill. While Lake Crest chips will integrate Intel Xeon processors to optimise neural networks and deliver remarkable results for deep learning, Knights Mill will come as the next-generation of Intel Xeon Phi processors. Both the chips are likely to go into mass production in 2017 and help the company deliver a 100-fold increase in performance.
“We expect the Intel Nervana platform to produce breakthrough performance and dramatic reductions in the time to train complex neural networks,” said Diane Bryant, executive vice president and general manager of data center group, Intel.
Developer efforts to expand technologies
Alongside the new chips, Intel is focusing on developer efforts to enhance the adoption of AI. There is Saffron cognitive platform to leverage associative and machine learning techniques and build local analytics for devices. The company also has Movidius computer vision powerhouse to uplift its existing technologies such as RealSense.
Intel is set to leverage the open source Nervana to help developers easily build new AI solutions for the market. The framework will take on platforms such as Facebook’s Torch, Google’s TensorFlow and Microsoft’s CNTK.
“Our goal is to compress the innovation cycle from conception to the deployment of increasingly intelligent, robust and collaborative machines,” Krzanich reveals.
Recently, Google announced its strategic alliance with Intel to bring enterprise IT to new levels. The partnership is already working on technologies like Kubernetes, machine learning, security and IoT.
