There’s no doubt that Nvidia is the company that’s benefiting the most from the recent AI revolution. The company recently became the third most valuable company in the world, ahead of Alphabet and Amazon. In June, it even briefly held the number one spot, above Microsoft and Apple.
All the big tech players want to get involved in AI, but few want to depend on Nvidia, and for that reason many are looking for alternatives where possible. Microsoft and OpenAI are reportedly planning a data center project that would include a potentially AMD-powered AI supercomputer called “Stargate.”
Now the The information claims that OpenAI has held discussions with several chip designers, including Broadcom, about developing a new AI chip to compete with Nvidia.
Bigger than AMD and Intel
Broadcom is best known for designing, developing and delivering a wide range of software solutions for semiconductors and infrastructure. The products are used for data center networks, home connectivity, broadband access, telecommunications equipment, smartphones and base stations.
The company currently ranks as the 13th most valuable company in the world, putting it above better-known tech giants such as Samsung, AMD, Intel, ARM, IBM and Qualcomm.
Whether OpenAI’s conversation with Broadcom and other suitors relates to Stargate is unknown at this time, but The information suggests that whatever the end result, it likely won’t be able to compete with what Nvidia is making now, given the years of research and development – and money – it would take.
OpenAI has reportedly hired former Google employees with experience developing Tensor processors, so serious is the company about having its own hardware.