On stage, CEO Tim Cook announced a high-profile partnership with OpenAI to integrate its advanced artificial intelligence (AI) model into Siri, Apple’s voice assistant. However, details in a technical document published post-event revealed that Google has played a significant role in Apple’s AI journey.
Apple’s AI Training with the help of Google’s Technology
To develop its foundational AI models, Apple’s engineers utilized the company’s proprietary framework software alongside a diverse array of hardware. This included Apple’s own on-premise graphics processing units (GPUs) as well as tensor processing units (TPUs) available exclusively through Google Cloud.
Google’s TPU development
Google has been developing TPUs for around a decade. The company has publicly detailed two versions of its fifth-generation chips, designed specifically for AI training. The performance version of these TPUs competes with Nvidia’s H100 AI chips in terms of capability. At Google’s annual developer conference, it was announced that a sixth-generation TPU would be launching this year.
Cloud Integration and AI applications
TPUs are engineered to handle AI applications and model training efficiently. Google has constructed a robust cloud computing hardware and software platform around these processors. This platform enables clients to access these specialized chips through Google’s cloud services, similar to how customers purchase computing resources from Amazon’s AWS or Microsoft’s Azure.
Collaboration regarding apple and google
While Apple did not disclose the extent of its reliance on Google’s TPUs compared to hardware from Nvidia or other AI vendors, the usage of Google’s chips generally necessitates purchasing access through Google’s cloud division. Neither Apple nor Google responded to requests for comment regarding their collaboration specifics.
Apple’s strategy and Google’s TPU: A conclusion
Apple’s strategic use of Google’s TPUs highlights the intricate partnerships in the tech industry as companies strive to advance their AI capabilities. By integrating resources from leading tech giants, Apple aims to enhance its AI applications, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with Siri and other AI-driven functionalities.
This collaboration underscores the growing importance of cloud-based AI training platforms and specialized hardware in developing cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies. As the tech landscape evolves, such partnerships are likely to become more common, driving innovation and efficiency in AI development.
