Microsoft is gearing up for a game-changing reveal at its annual event, ‘Ignite,’ from November 14 to 17.
The tech giant is set to unveil its highly anticipated AI chip, codenamed ‘Athena’. This move signifies Microsoft’s bid to decrease its dependency on GPUs supplied by NVIDIA.
Microsoft’s Athena
Athena is a project in the works for some time. It’s been developed to power Microsoft’s data center servers. Specifically for training and operating large language models. The development of in-house GPUs carries significant financial implications.
Microsoft employs NVIDIA chips, notably the high-powered H100 chip, valued at $40,000, to fuel its substantial language models. By venturing into chip production, Microsoft aims to cut costs and enhance operational efficiency in its cloud computing service, Azure.
ChatGPT’s role
This initiative also aligns with Microsoft’s substantial investments in OpenAI, the organization behind ChatGPT. Microsoft has funneled nearly $13 billion into OpenAI.
OpenAI, too, is delving into the world of chip development. It’s contemplating the creation of its specialized chips or acquiring a chipmaker. This is mainly due to chip shortages worldwide and high costs affecting its operations.
For instance, to scale ChatGPT queries even to a fraction of Google search’s scale, OpenAI would require an investment of approximately $48.1 billion for GPUs and an additional $16 billion annually for chips, as reported by Reuters.
The introduction of Athena represents a pivotal shift in the technological landscape.
AI’s legal maze
Microsoft has taken a significant step in safeguarding its users against potential legal challenges arising from copyright infringement related to content generated by its AI systems.
Microsoft has pledged to shield its customers from legal repercussions through its newly-established legal policy, the Copilot Copyright Commitment. That’s if they are sued for copyright infringement concerning content created by Microsoft’s AI technologies.
Microsoft has proactively addressed concerns raised by some customers regarding intellectual property (IP) infringement claims.
The company empathizes with authors and artists concerned with their work used in AI models and services. In response, it has introduced the Copilot Copyright Commitment, a policy designed to alleviate these concerns.
This commitment signifies the company’s dedication to accepting responsibility for any legal risks. By assuming this responsibility, it ensures they can harness the capabilities of AI technologies without fear of legal repercussions.
The Athena chip will revolutionize Microsoft’s AI capabilities, marking a significant step toward self-reliance in the competitive semiconductor industry. All eyes are on Microsoft’s ‘Ignite’ event next month.
About the author
Marce has contributed tech to various prominent publications since 2018, offering a transparent perspective into the tech industry and its effects on its users. She now spends her time developing insightful content for industry players. You know, when she's not gaming or geeking out about the latest fad.
