Intel says newest laptop chips, software will handle generative AI

(Reuters) – Intel announced on Tuesday that they will be releasing a new chip in December that will be capable of running a generative artificial intelligence chatbot on a laptop, eliminating the need to rely on cloud data centers for computing power. This new capability, expected to be showcased during a software developer conference held in Silicon Valley, will enable businesses and consumers to test ChatGPT-style technologies without compromising the security of their sensitive data. The breakthrough is made possible by the integration of AI data-crunching functionalities into Intel’s upcoming “Meteor Lake” laptop chip, along with the release of new software tools.

Furthermore, Intel executives expressed confidence in delivering a successor chip called “Arrow Lake” next year, asserting that the company’s manufacturing technology will rival that of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., a promise they have made. After falling behind in the chip manufacturing race, Intel is determined to regain its position as the leading chip manufacturer.

While Intel has faced challenges in competing against Nvidia in the market for powerful chips used in data centers for AI system training, the market for chips designed to handle AI work outside of data centers is relatively open. Intel aims to capitalize on this opportunity.

Through the introduction of a new software version called OpenVINO, Intel announced that developers will be able to run a laptop-compatible version of a large language model, similar to ChatGPT, developed by Meta Platforms. This will result in faster response times from chatbots and ensure that data remains on the device, thereby enhancing privacy. “You can get a better performance, a lower cost, and more private AI,” stated Sachin Katti, senior vice president and general manager of Intel’s network and edge group, in an interview with Reuters.

Analyst Dan Hutcheson from TechInsights believes that Intel’s approach may interest business users who are reluctant to entrust their sensitive corporate data to third-party AI companies. He commented, “AI is still in that class of technology where you need a PhD to do it,” and emphasized Intel Chief Gelsinger’s challenge to democratize AI. Achieving this would create a much larger market for the chips that Intel produces.

(Reporting by Stephen Nellis and Max Cherney in San Francisco; Editing by Peter Henderson and Lincoln Feast)