Alphabet’s Google is reportedly collaborating with Marvell Technology to create a pair of specialized computer chips designed to enhance artificial intelligence operations, according to a Sunday report from The Information citing sources familiar with the negotiations.
The partnership involves developing two distinct processors: a memory processing component that will complement Google’s existing tensor processing units (TPUs), and an entirely new TPU specifically engineered for artificial intelligence applications, sources indicated.
The tech giant has been working to establish its TPUs as a competitive option to challenge Nvidia’s market-leading graphics processing units. Revenue from TPU sales has emerged as a significant growth factor for Google’s cloud computing division, as the company seeks to demonstrate to shareholders that its artificial intelligence investments are producing financial results.
Neither Google nor Marvell immediately provided responses to requests for comment, and Reuters was unable to independently confirm the report’s details.
According to the sources, both companies hope to complete the memory processing unit’s design specifications by next year, after which the chip would move into experimental manufacturing phases.
