"The RISC-V train has left the station and it is unavoidable"

In the dynamic landscape of AI hardware development, major players such as Google, AWS, Nvidia, AMD, IBM, and Microsoft have all embarked on the journey of unveiling or planning AI chips and underlying hardware innovations. Amidst this bustling activity, Tenstorrent stands out as a company with a unique focus.

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Keith Witek Chief Operating Officer, Tenstorrent

Beyond its diverse initiatives, the company is actively engaged in advancing RISC-V, which it touts as a superior technology capable of outperforming ARM, ultimately aiming to bring greater independence to processor architectures.

Keith Witek, Chief Operating Officer at Tenstorrent, in interaction with Pratima Harigunani, delves into the profound impact of AI on hardware, exploring topics such as reusable chiplets, the significance of RISC-V, AIpowered software, 5G, and the role of non-proprietary processors. Drawing on his extensive experience, he provides valuable insights into the future of chip technology. Excerpts:

What have been the key milestones in Tenstorrent's journey, and what sets the company apart in the processor industry? 

Tenstorrent builds computers designed for AI applications. Our core business includes the production of AI Chips, which we sell on PCle boards, integrated into servers, and made available through our cloud. We also operate an IP Licensing business, showcasing our RISC-V and AI cores. The remarkable growth of our IP business has been a pleasant surprise. Notably, our significant RISC-V core is engineered to be part of our future Al products and also function independently, capable of operating systems like Linux and Android. This versatility positions it as a host processor for a broad spectrum of high-volume applications.

Could you provide further insights into the emphasis on RISC-V?