Toronto-based Chip Designer Tenstorrent Teams Up with Samsung Foundry US
Toronto-based chip designer Tenstorrent has partnered with Samsung Foundry US to manufacture its new generation of artificial intelligence (AI) chips. The chips will be developed using Samsung’s new SF4X process, and in addition to AI chips, Samsung will also build Tenstorrent’s central processing units (CPUs). Both product categories are designed based on Tenstorrent’s new RISC-V chip design.
Samsung US Business Boosted with New Chip
Samsung will produce Tenstorrent’s chips at its factory in Austin, Texas, where the company is currently constructing another factory to expand its US production. Tenstorrent’s CEO Jim Keller expressed confidence that Samsung’s expertise in electronics manufacturing will help bring the chips to consumers. He stated, “Samsung Foundry’s commitment to advancing semiconductor technology aligns with our vision for advancing RISC-V and AI and makes them an ideal partner to bring our AI chiplets to market.”
How AI Is Changing Approaches to Chip Design
The global competition for semiconductor supremacy has intensified with the rise of AI. The capabilities of semiconductors directly impact advancements in large language models used by companies like OpenAI and Google. To maximize the processing power of semiconductors for AI models, companies such as Tenstorrent, Nvidia, and Graphcore have made significant investments. Tenstorrent utilizes RISC-V, an open-source instruction set that allows chip designers to optimize calculations for AI. Graphcore has developed a chip capable of working on multiple streams of data simultaneously, while Nvidia offers software tools that can customize its Graphics Processing Units for large-scale AI workloads in big data centers.
Hot Take: The Importance of Semiconductor Technology in Advancing AI
The collaboration between Tenstorrent and Samsung Foundry US highlights the crucial role of semiconductor technology in advancing artificial intelligence. With the increasing demand for AI capabilities, chip designers are pushing the boundaries of innovation to optimize processing power. By partnering with Samsung, Tenstorrent gains access to advanced manufacturing processes and expertise, enabling them to bring their AI chips to market efficiently. This partnership not only benefits both companies but also contributes to the overall progress of the semiconductor industry and its impact on AI development.