Intel will start making GPUs (techcrunch.com)

Intel recently announced plans to enter the graphics processing unit (GPU) market, marking a strategic shift for the company as it seeks to revitalize its position in the semiconductor industry. CEO Lip-Bu Tan made the announcement at the Cisco AI Summit, highlighting the significance of GPUs, which are essential for gaming and AI model training, in contrast to Intel’s traditional focus on central processing units (CPUs). This initiative will be led by new executive hires, including Kevork Kechichian, who heads Intel’s data center group, and Eric Demers, formerly of Qualcomm. This development is significant for the AI/ML community as it signals increased competition in the GPU market, currently dominated by Nvidia. Intel's foray into GPU production is notable as it suggests a growing recognition of the demand for specialized hardware to support AI applications. Although still in early development stages, with plans to align its strategy with customer needs, Intel’s pivot towards GPU manufacturing could enhance innovation and push forward advancements in AI technologies, potentially reshaping the semiconductor landscape.