Intel unwraps its first chip for AI and calls it Spring Hill

intel spring hill ai artificial intelligence chip processor

Intel has unwrapped its first processor that is designed for artificial intelligence and is planned for use in data centres.

The new Nervana Neural Network Processor for Inference (NNP-I) processor has a more approachable codename of Spring Hill.

Spring Hill is a modified 10nm Ice Lake processor which sits on a PCB and slots into an M.2 port typically used for storage.

According to Intel, the use of a modified Ice Lake processor allows Spring Hill to handle...

21 August 2019 | Hardware

Nvidia CEO calls AI ‘the single most powerful force’ as earnings beat expectations

nvidia ai earnings artificial intelligence xavier drive car tech gaming rtx ray tracing

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has called AI “the single most powerful force of our time” as the company posts earnings beating analysts’ expectations.

While gaming remains Nvidia’s primary source of growth, the company’s artificial intelligence business is growing rapidly. In the second fiscal-quarter, Nvidia reported increased demand for both its graphics and AI chips.

For some idea of Nvidia’s growth in AI, Huang says there are now over 4,000 AI startups working...

16 August 2019 | Hardware

Musk wants to link human brains with machines to ‘stop the AI apocalypse’

Elon Musk’s ambitious Neuralink project to link human brains with machines is part of the entrepreneur's crusade to “stop the AI apocalypse”.

Musk has been vocal with his concerns about AI, famously saying we’re “summoning the devil” with its development. The SpaceX and Tesla founder created OpenAI in part due to concerns that AI could pose an existential risk if developed carelessly.

In February last year, Musk left OpenAI over disagreements with the...

18 July 2019 | Hardware

Nvidia explains how ‘true adoption’ of AI is making an impact

Nvidia Senior Director of Enterprise David Hogan spoke at this year’s AI Expo about how the company is seeing artificial intelligence adoption making an impact.

In the keynote session, titled ‘What is the true adoption of AI’, Hogan provided real-world examples of how the technology is being used and enabled by Nvidia’s GPUs. But first, he highlighted the momentum we’re seeing in AI.

“Many governments have announced investments in AI and how they're going...

26 April 2019 | Applications

Qualcomm boosts Snapdragon AI performance with new chips for high and mid-tier devices

Qualcomm has announced new Snapdragon chips for high and mid-tier devices which benefit from a big jump in AI performance.

There are two new chips in the 7-series – the Snapdragon 730 and 730G – along with one in the 6-series, the Snapdragon 665.

Kedar Kondap, VP of Product Management at Qualcomm, says:

“With the introduction of the Snapdragon 730, 730G and 665 Mobile Platforms, we are bringing features such as sophisticated AI, exceptional gaming and...

9 April 2019 | Hardware

Huawei P30 Pro: AI turns anyone into a skilled photographer

We’ve gone hands-on with Huawei’s P30 Pro to review its AI capabilities and determine whether it’s a gimmick or a useful implementation.

The company’s flagship P-series of smartphones focuses on camera innovations. With this latest device, we’re seeing that trend continue. There are clear enhancements to existing features in addition to a few new things for us to play with.

In the Mate 20, Huawei’s previous flagship, the company expanded the number of scenes...

29 March 2019 | Hardware

AnTuTu’s latest benchmark tests AI chip performance

We can now better scrutinise manufacturers’ claims about AI chip performance improvements thanks to AnTuTu’s latest benchmark.

If you’ve ever read a comprehensive smartphone review, you’ve likely heard of AnTuTu. The company’s smartphone benchmarking tool is often used for testing and comparing the CPU and 3D performance of devices.

With dedicated AI chips now appearing in devices from the mid-range to flagships, AnTuTu has decided it’s time for a benchmark...

30 January 2019 | Benchmark

Qualcomm is setting aside $100 million for AI venture investments

AI is going to be incredibly valuable. You know it, I know it, and Qualcomm is betting on it by setting aside $100 million to invest in promising startups. The chip giant is specifically looking at startups building on-device AI technologies. We’re increasingly seeing NPUs (Neural Processing Units) debuting in the latest devices, so it’s little surprise to see Qualcomm seeking to fund technologies which may provide an edge. Steve Mollenkopf, CEO of Qualcomm Incorporated, said:

29 November 2018 | Funding

To no surprise, Samsung’s next chip has an NPU for AI

Samsung will catch up to some rival smartphone manufacturers with a dedicated NPU in the company’s Exynos 9820 chip when it launches the S10. The company says its NPU (Neural Processing Unit) will deliver up to seven times faster AI performance than Samsung’s older Exynos 9810 chip in the S9. Huawei became the first to debut a dedicated NPU in a flagship smartphone with their Kirin 970 chip in the Mate 10. In our Mate 10 coverage, we noted Huawei claimed using an NPU could increase...

14 November 2018 | Hardware

Huawei proves AI delivers ‘higher intelligence’ smartphones

Huawei used its flagship Mate 20 launch to show how the company is using AI to deliver 'higher intelligence' smartphones. We’ve come to expect great things from Huawei in AI. The company is quickly establishing itself as a leading player in the arena – just last week announcing new chipsets designed to seize the AI throne from Silicon Valley giants. In the Mate 20, Huawei is debuting its latest processor – the Kirin 980. Huawei reminded us last year’s flagship, the Mate 10,...

16 October 2018 | Hardware