Apple has joined the Ultra Accelerator Link Consortium (UALink), a group focused on developing next-generation technology to enhance chip connectivity within AI data centers. UALink aims to create a standard that links AI accelerator chips, which are increasingly used in server farms, to streamline the training, fine-tuning, and running of AI models.
Apple’s participation as a member of the consortium’s board, alongside Alibaba and Synopsys, marks a significant step in the company’s growing involvement in AI infrastructure. Becky Loop, Apple’s Director of Platform Architecture, highlighted the potential of UALink in addressing the connectivity challenges in AI data centers and expanding AI capabilities. She stated, “UALink shows great promise, and we’re excited to join the UALink board of directors.”
The UALink standard is designed to connect various chips, from GPUs to custom-designed solutions, using open standards such as AMD’s Infinity Fabric. The first UALink products are expected to launch in the next couple of years. Alongside Apple, members of the consortium include Intel, AMD, Google, AWS, Microsoft, and Meta. Notably absent from the group is Nvidia, which prefers its own proprietary interconnect technology, NVLink, for linking chips in data center clusters.
Apple’s decision to join the consortium aligns with its increasing investments in AI infrastructure. The company is reportedly working on a new server chip aimed at improving the efficiency of its Apple Intelligence suite, which powers its AI-based features.
As Apple advances its AI capabilities, the company continues to address user feedback, such as recent adjustments to its AI-summarized news alerts, which were criticized for inaccuracies, including false reports about tennis star Rafael Nadal.
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