Designing CPUs for next-generation supercomputing

While GPU-accelerated AI dominates headlines, CPUs remain an optimal choice for many scientific and engineering workloads. In Seattle, a meteorologist analyzes dynamic atmospheric models to predict the next major storm system. In Stuttgart, an automotive engineer examines crash-test simulations for vehicle safety certification. And in Singapore, a financial analyst simulates portfolio stress tests to hedge against global economic shocks. Each of these professionals--and the consumers, commuters, and investors who depend on their insights-- relies on a time-tested pillar of high-performance computing: the humble CPU. With GPU-powered AI breakthroughs getting the lion's share of press (and investment) in 2025, it is tempting to assume that CPUs are yesterday's news.