Intel, AMD accused of 'willful ignorance' in allowing chips to get to Russia

Tech giants are investing heavily in AI infrastructure, with AMD's Lisa Su and former IBM CEO Sam Palmisano highlighting a critical choice between open source and proprietary AI models that could define the future of computing. This shift reflects a broader industry trend towards more collaborative and accessible AI development frameworks.

AMD has launched the Radeon AI PRO R9700S, a passively cooled video card featuring 32GB of DDR6 memory and a high FP32 compute performance, designed for AI workstation setups. This new card boasts a substantial 300W thermal design power (TDP), marking a significant advancement in silent computing technology.

AMD CEO Lisa Su recently discussed the company's strategic direction during WIRED's Big Interview event, emphasizing her confidence in AMD's ability to compete in the rapidly growing AI chip market. Su highlighted the launch of a new chip designed to capture a significant share of this sector, which is projected to reach $1 trillion annually.

Ukrainians have initiated lawsuits against major US chip manufacturers Intel, AMD, and Texas Instruments, alleging that these companies have contributed to the supply of chips used in Russian drones and missiles targeting Ukraine. This legal action highlights the ongoing conflict and the role of technology in warfare.

Intel is set to acquire AI chip specialist SambaNova, a move aimed at bolstering its position in the competitive semiconductor market, particularly against rivals AMD and Nvidia. However, the acquisition is overshadowed by valuation concerns that have emerged during negotiations.

Russia is contemplating a complete ban on Google services, as indicated by a member of the State Duma's IT committee. This potential action is part of a broader initiative to tighten control over foreign technology and digital platforms within the country.

An unusual 88-core AMD CPU has appeared on eBay, suggesting a potential shift in the market dynamics as AMD may be gearing up for rapid hyperscale refresh cycles. This development hints at a possible recovery of usable DDR4 memory, which has been in short supply.

PowerLattice, a startup led by Peng Zou, has developed new chiplets that significantly reduce power consumption in data centers, claiming up to a 50% decrease in energy use and doubling performance per watt by miniaturizing high-voltage regulators and relocating them closer to processors.