Introduction to Falcon Shores
Intel’s ambitious project, Falcon Shores, aims to merge the capabilities of Gaudi AI with powerful data center GPU technology targeted at high-performance computing (HPC) workloads. However, expectations have been recently tempered by interim co-CEO Michelle Johnston Holthaus during her remarks at the Barclays 22nd Annual Global Technology Conference.
Realistic Expectations on Development Progress
Holthaus candidly discussed the journey from Gaudi to the first generation of Falcon Shores, stating, “we really need to think about how we go from gaudi to our first generation of falcon shores, which is a gpu.” She openly acknowledged that while the transition is critical, it may not meet the high expectations many have. “Is it going to be wonderful? No, but it is a good first step,” she remarked, emphasizing the necessity of a balanced perspective on the project’s current stage.
Intel’s Iterative Approach to AI Hardware
Rather than a complete overhaul of their product development pipeline, Holthaus advocates for an iterative approach to AI hardware advancement. She mentioned, “if you just stop everything… products take a really long time to come to market.” This suggests that Intel is taking a deliberate and measured approach, which includes releasing products in smaller volumes initially to learn and improve them over time. As Holthaus noted, the AI market continues to grow, particularly in training, while also hinting at broader opportunities in inference. Intel’s focus on gradual improvements reflects a commitment to long-term growth in the competitive AI landscape.