Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan announced at the Cisco AI Summit on Tuesday that the company will begin producing graphics processing units (GPUs). These specialized processors support gaming and tasks such as training artificial intelligence models, differing from Intel’s traditional central processing units (CPUs).
The GPU initiative falls under the oversight of Kevork Kechichian, executive vice president and general manager of Intel’s data center group. Intel hired Kechichian in September as part of multiple new engineer-focused hires. The company also recruited Eric Demers in January to contribute to the effort. Demers spent more than 13 years at Qualcomm, most recently as senior vice president of engineering.
Tan described the project as being in early stages. He stated that Intel plans to develop its GPU strategy around customer demands and needs. TechCrunch contacted Intel for additional details, while Reuters reported on Kechichian’s role.
Nvidia holds a commanding lead in the GPU market. Although Nvidia did not invent the GPU, its advanced GPUs for AI systems have fueled much of the company’s success.
Intel pursues this move as it works to reverse its recent performance challenges amid competition from rivals like Nvidia.
