Intel is investing $13 million in Untether AI, a startup that’s working on a novel type of chip for artificial intelligence that promises to perform neural-network calculations at warp speed.
Untether, based in Toronto, Canada, has already developed a prototype device that transfers data between different parts of the chip 1,000 times more quickly than a conventional AI chip. That’s an impressive achievement, but it should be treated cautiously since the prototype is far larger than an actual chip—and because other factors will contribute to the overall performance of the finished device.
Untether’s design might be experimental, but one can understand why Intel would invest. The company has seen its dominance eroded in recent years with the rise of mobile devices that use alternative chip designs. It is now desperate not to miss out on the AI boom as well. A couple of years ago, Intel acquired Nervana, a startup developing chips for deep learning, and it is currently readying the first products based on those designs.
More details on MIT Tech review
