“AI in networks isn’t CPU vs. GPU”: Intel unveils 18A-based Clearwater Forest Xeon 6+ for edge AI and early 6G infrastructure (www.techradar.com)

Intel has announced the Clearwater Forest Xeon 6+ processor, built on its 18A technology, targeting AI applications within telecom networks and laying the groundwork for early 6G infrastructure. The new 288-core processor significantly enhances power efficiency, achieving a 38% reduction in runtime rack power compared to the previous Sierra Forest systems while improving overall performance by 30%. This advancement streamlines deployments by maintaining essential network functions, security workloads, and AI inference on standard server hardware, emphasizing Intel’s approach that favors optimized computing for specific tasks instead of favoring CPU or GPU processing exclusively. The Clearwater Forest processors integrate Advanced Matrix Extensions and vRAN Boost, allowing AI inference to operate on the same hardware as virtualized network software, which can reduce the need for additional accelerators. Major telecom players, including Rakuten Mobile and Vodafone, are already collaborating with Intel to utilize these processors for modernizing their network architectures. This strategic focus on higher core density alongside lower power consumption aligns with the growing demand for AI-driven performance in telecom infrastructure as the industry transitions towards 6G technologies.