Intel's Chips For Artificial Intelligence Could Crack Big Markets

Intel hosted a conference on Thursday to highlight its latest efforts to sell more microchips used to meet the booming demand for artificial intelligence, machine learning, and related disciplines. The overall strategy made sense to analysts who follow the company, but some of them were concerned that Intel has a ways to go to catch up to competitor Nvidia. The conference agenda included the announcement by Intel of a strategic partnership with Google across the search giant's many AI initiatives. Intel is creating versions of its chips optimized for Google's TensorFlow software that runs machine learning programs and neural networks, for example. Intel also explained how it would integrate a batch of acquisitions it has made in the AI area, such as using machine learning technology acquired with Nervana Systems in August for new chips called Lake Crest and Knights Crest.