At Lenovo Tech World 2024, one of the most significant announcements was the unexpected union between two of the semiconductor industryโs biggest rivals: AMD and Intel. This coputing industry-wide move seeks to extend the x86 platformโan architecture that has been at the heart of computing for over 40 years and is the foundation of pretty everything digital we have today.
The partnership between AMDโs CEO, Lisa Su, and Intelโs CEO, Pat Gelsinger, promises to accelerate innovation across the ecosystem by fostering deeper collaboration in key areas of software, architecture, and platform development as the x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group will also be joined by industry stalwarts Linus Torvalds and Tim Sweeney. Yes, the creator of Linux and the CEO of Epic Games, respectively. They will be joined by the following companies as well:
- Broadcom Inc.
- Dell Technologies
- Google Cloud
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)
- HP Inc.
- Lenovo
- Microsoft
- Oracle
- Red Hat
In an interview by Six Five Media, both CEOs sit down and talk about the partnership and what it means for the industry.
A Collaborative Vision for the Future
Both Su and Gelsinger emphasized that the collaboration stems from the industry’s demand for greater ease of integration and efficiency. While AMD and Intel have fiercely competed over the decades, the shared goal now is to address common challenges in computing and to push the boundaries of x86 architecture even further. The CEOs reiterated that this is a natural evolution of the marketโs needs.
Lisa Su remarked on the historical importance of x86, highlighting its role in driving compute innovation for the past 40 years. โWhat weโre trying to do now is bring the ecosystem together to accelerate the pace of innovation,โ she said. Su pointed out that while the two companies have often worked alongside one another in the same markets, the collaboration will help smooth out friction points, ultimately benefiting customers who rely on x86-powered systems.
Unified Ecosystem for Faster Innovation
At the core of this partnership is a drive to align both companiesโ hardware platforms more effectively with software vendors and ecosystem partners. Pat Gelsinger emphasized the importance of collaboration in the ecosystem to break down the barriers that have historically slowed progress. โWhen weโre not aligned, we donโt accelerate peopleโs ability to bring applications onto the x86 architecture,โ Gelsinger said, stressing that agreeing on system and application interfaces is crucial for driving forward the industry.
Both CEOs noted that this collaboration will see the formation of an advisory group made up of industry leaders. This group will work to define the next phase of x86 architecture and explore how it can evolve to meet the demands of modern computing. Su and Gelsinger specifically mentioned key areas such as AI workloads, security, and extending x86 capabilities to support modern innovations like cloud, edge, and automotive computing.
A Practical Approach to the Future of x86
As this collaboration unfolds, both AMD and Intel are focused on ensuring the practical integration of new technologies into the x86 platform. Su explained that x86 has become indispensable, not just in high-performance computing but across a wide spectrum of applicationsโfrom cloud to automotive. By working together, the companies aim to accelerate innovation without sacrificing the flexibility or scalability that has made x86 a cornerstone of the computing world.
Pat Gelsinger also highlighted how this partnership will impact key areas like AI workloads, where a unified approach to integrating CPUs and GPUs could open new possibilities for performance and efficiency. He described the initiative as a way to extend the platformโs memory spaces and create a more coherent relationship between CPUs and GPUs. This will help address real-world computing challenges like managing 30-year-old databases or improving security models in confidential computing.
A Bold Step Forward for the Industry
While competition between AMD and Intel is expected to continue and both Lisa and Pat jests, both CEOs stressed that collaboration in certain areas can drive even more value for customers and the broader ecosystem. โCollaboration can be great for the market too,โ Gelsinger remarked, emphasizing the potential for expanding the market through joint efforts.
For those skeptical of the partnershipโs long-term viability, Lisa Su was clear: โThis is about moving the industry forward.โ She noted that the inclusion of leading industry partners and advisory members signals how serious the companies are about making a lasting impact. โThe industry ecosystem will give us clear feedback on whatโs needed,โ Su said, underscoring the collaborative and transparent nature of the initiative.
Editor’s Thoughts
The collaboration between AMD and Intel marks a new chapter for the x86 platform, signaling a shift towards greater cooperation in the semiconductor industry. By uniting their efforts, both companies are poised to address the evolving demands of modern computing, from AI to cloud infrastructure. While competition will remain fierce in the marketplace, this strategic partnership sets the stage for significant technological advancements in the years to come.
As the partnership progresses, the industry will be watching closely to see how these two giants leverage their combined expertise to shape the future of x86 and beyond.
