Apple used Google’s chips to train two AI models, research paper shows By Reuters

By Max A. Cherney

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Apple (NASDAQ:) relied on chips designed by Alphabet (NASDAQ:)’s Google moderately than trade chief Nvidia (NASDAQ:) to construct its new artificial-intelligence software program infrastructure that may energy its forthcoming suite of AI instruments and options, in line with an Apple analysis paper it revealed on Monday.

Apple’s determination to depend on Google’s cloud infrastructure is notable as a result of Nvidia produces probably the most sought-after AI processors. Together with the chips made by Google, Amazon.com (NASDAQ:) and different cloud computing firms, Nvidia instructions roughly 80% of the market.

Within the analysis paper, Apple didn’t explicitly say that it makes use of no Nvidia chips, however its description of the {hardware} and software program infrastructure of its AI instruments and options lacked any point out of Nvidia {hardware}.

Apple couldn’t instantly be reached for touch upon Monday.

Apple mentioned within the analysis paper that to coach its AI fashions, it used two flavors of Google’s tensor processing unit (TPU) which might be organized in giant clusters of chips. To construct the AI mannequin that may function on iPhones and different gadgets, Apple used 2,048 of the TPUv5p chips. For its server AI mannequin, Apple deployed 8,192 TPUv4 processors.

Nvidia doesn’t design TPUs however moderately focuses its efforts on so-called graphics processing items (GPUs) which might be extensively used for AI efforts.

Not like Nvidia, which sells its chips and programs as standalone merchandise, Google sells entry to the TPUs by its Google Cloud Platform. Clients excited by shopping for entry should construct software program by Google’s cloud platform so as to use the chips.

Apple is rolling out parts Apple Intelligence to its beta customers this week.

Reuters reported using the TPU chips in June however Apple didn’t disclose the complete extent of its reliance on Google {hardware} till Monday’s analysis paper.

Google didn’t return a request for remark, and Nvidia declined to remark.

Apple’s engineers mentioned within the paper it might be doable to make even bigger, extra subtle fashions with Google’s chips, than the 2 fashions it mentioned within the paper.

Apple unveiled a slew of recent AI options at its June developer convention, together with integrating OpenAI’s ChatGPT expertise into its software program.